Jumpin2drums

At the auditions Nov 7th for Crescent City Percussion Ensemble, there was a turn-out of extremely capable members from various area universities and high schools, but there are still have some very critical positions needing to be filled by Nov 14th or Nov 21st at the latest. It is not too late to be part of an extremely talented group of individuals in this new ensemble. Come out Nov 14th or 21st. We still need to fill 2 snare positions, 5 bass drum positions, vibes, xylophone, glockenspiel, and 2 misc pit percussion positions. For more information, please refer to the following webpage. http://www.gnodca.com/index.php/ccpe-home

Appreciate the assist. As well, I'd like to add one I had found. http://www.rowloff.com/WinterDrumLine/WinterDrumLine.html Any others for consideration?

Any ideas to contribute for online sites that sell published indoor percussion ensemble show material (easy, medium, difficult)?

A couple of months ago, our new brilliant 18" Sabian Viennese cymbals arrived. We used them in a couple of parades only towel drying them after the first use when it rained a little during the parade. With only that towel drying once and all the handling without using gloves, after the couple of months, I was in need of researching how to best clean the new brilliant cymbals. With the thought of soap or Soft Scrub mentioned in the posts above, and thinking about the fact that cymbals can sometimes exposed to hours of direct daylight making them very hot, sometimes too hot to touch without seemingly damaging the cymbals, I figured I'd try something a little out of the box. 1. Remove the cymbals pads (holders) 2. Place the cymbals "plates" in a dishwasher using normal cycle (hot water @ 120 degrees I think, no choice of hot water temperature of course) and Cascade ("with the power of Dawn"). 3. As soon as the cleaning cycle completes, remove with cloth oven gloves (to avoid finger prints), lay them out on a bath towel, and QUICKLY and COMPLETELY towel dry with another soft bath towel, avoiding any possible water marks. There has been no negative results at all noticed to the sound or physical properties of the cymbals, or to the Sabian emblem/writing imprinted on the cymbals. I know this is likely not a possibility on the road while on tour, but in the cases where this is possible, I can attest from having done this a couple of times that this is an amazingly easy and simple way to effectively clean our cymbals. I didn't even use the spot eliminating liquid you may think to add when one cleans crystal. This might be a little out of the box, and a strange use of the dishwasher, but at last, my dishwasher may get more frequent use. LOL I'm not sure to what degree the good results are due to the newness of the cymbals, and the brilliant finish of these cymbals.

At the moment I am trying to get in touch with Nolan from the Jackson Generals, or anybody from that orginzation's management, if not Nolan. Anyone who can assist me in establishing contact with someone/anyone from the Jackson Generals organization, please drop me a PM. I'd like to kick around some ideas with them that could possibly help both the Jackson Generals and our organization as well.

At the moment I am trying to get in touch with Nolan from the Jackson Generals, or anybody from that orginzation, if not Nolan. Anyone who can assist me in establishing contact with someone/anyone from their organization, please drop me a PM. I'd like to kick around some ideas with them that could possibly help both of our organizations. About the parades, they are 6 miles long on average, almost non-stop marching and playing for three hours on the pavement. It is indeed greuling, especially the daytime parades. No matter how many years you have done it, it never gets easier. I proudly state that there is almost no unit besides ours that can march and actually play without rest the whole way in the true drum corps style and pride that was engrained in our heads during our youth. Of course, at the end of the parade our bodies pay for what our head and heart just put it through. With our extremely limited funds, it is a major annual fundraiser for us, and so we must do it for our organization to survive. Our numbers are dwindling for the parade unit, so the future of our parade performances and the realization of those needed funds to keep us going might be in jeopardy, but we'll have to wait and see next year how many participants we have for the parades. No performances are planned outside of Louisiana this year, only in-state exhibitions to give us a full year to practice and prepare the music. We are in no rush, with only having time enough to dedicate toward monthly rehearsals. Next year is when one might expect to possibly see us beyond the LA border, but it will still likely only be exhibition. We look forward to it, and are actually practicing our music right now in preparation for that next year. We are not operating on the normal annual activity calendar the rest of the drum corps world in operating on, because that activity schedule is not completely reasonable for our organization at this point. We're operating on our own schedule and plans for our organization, and where the two worlds meet, we plan to appear. Our cadet group has a director now and the OK from the board to start activities, but it is not actually off the ground yet. We do expect that unit to go extremely well once it gets rolling in the coming weeks/months. That should prove to be a boost to building and sustaining the future membership in our other performance units as we go forward each year. This is a slow, gradual, but hopefully solid, ground-up approach to building membership that is how we have approached building our operating funds, equipment inventory, music, uniform, and performance plans. We are operating on a shoe-string budget (more like half of one torn shoe-string, but improving), and after about 6 years (interrupted by Katrina) still at ground level trying build the foundation in some repects while simultaneously framing the structure on top the foundation in other respects. With the limited resources and adversities we are dealing with here, it will be difficult for sometime for us to attain our goals, which are at least shifting upward each year. We are operating in a baby-step/walking mode, rather than trying to run a marathon from the outset and collapsing out of the race after a we start running. We are proceeding well moving slowly forward trying to build on our accomplichments each year with a core set of dedicated and patient alumni, determined to realize the goals of the organization. What I find most enjoyable about our group, even more so than performing, is seeing the unstoppable dedication and determination of our core members, especially in the face of what most others might immediately see as impossible unattainable goals. I find it all truly inspiring. Two words come to mind thinking about it all, unbelievable "Patience" and "Determination". In my younger days, I was so completely focused on perfecting the performance with competition and ratings seeming to be my major concern or only concern. It was how I judged other units and ourself. Now, I am spending more time on this activity than I ever did before in my life without any concern about rules, regulations, scores, ratings, and occasional disappointment from competition, and so much more completely enjoying the activity and the people in it.

Latest update on the drum corps activity in New Orleans. This looks like it will prove to be a very busy year for combined participants of both GNODCA units, Echoes & NOVA. Each of the units avoid any conflict with the other's rehearsals and performances to allow maximum attendance and participation of GNODCA members in either or both. As of this past Mardi Gras, Echoes now participates in two annual Mardi Gras parades instead of one as in all previous years. Echoes also just performed a French Quarter Spring Fiesta parade last week, and will be performing in a Strawberry Festival parade this coming week. NOVA the new Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association stand-still mini-corps style exhibition performance unit performed at the Louisiana Color Guard & Percussion Championship contest a few weeks ago. With a newly acquired line of GNODCA percussion instruments, music book of exercises and tunes, NOVA is now preapared to send an open invitation to interested drummers to fill spots (5 Pearl FFX snares, 2 quints, 4 tuned bass, marimba, vibe, xylo, bells, mis perc). All battery equipment is Pearl Championship series. Also, GNODCA still has some bugles available for interested participants in the horn line for Echoes or NOVA. Many local performance opportunities at various local venues are intended during the complete year. GNODCA is presently looking to acquire additional 2v or 3v G-horns if anyone has a lead on anything at all. BTW, at the end of the Spring Fiesta parade, we had a discussion with a gentleman who said he was a New Jersey transplant, an ex-Hawthorne Caballero soprano who now lives here, and said he'd come out in a couple of months. We can use a little help like that, if there are other alumni landing in our area that want to come out and participate at either Echoes' or NOVA's level of participation, y'all are welcome. Also, we hope to start a small cadet group of youngsters this year.

NOVA is a new Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association stand-still mini-corps style exhibition performance unit. With a newly acquired line of GNODCA percussion instruments, NOVA percussion will be limited to the following maximum number of possible percussion performers, for which there are some openings available at this time. Battery Percussion: 5 snares (Pearl 14 x 12 FFX), 2 Pearl quint tenors, 4 Pearl tuned bass All battery equipment being used is Pearl Championship series and owned by GNODCA. Pit/Misc Percussion: Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells, misc accessories All mallet pit instruments being used are owned by GNODCA. A maximum of 20 drummers will be utilized. Spots are filled on a first come first serve basis, as the limits of the available equipment allow. Participants receive a free book of exercises and tunes to borrow while they are participants, and free instruction. Any and all interested participants will be considered while spots are available. Some mallets/sticks may be provided, and some may need to be purchased by the performer. GNODCA annual paid membership ($25) is a must. Uniform (@ $50) is individually bought and personally owned. Regular attendance is a must with advance notice desired for any possible few missed gatherings. If you, or someone you know are possible interested participants, you can send me a PM to discuss. Thank you, Brian NOVA, Director, Horn & Percussion (Arranger/Instructor) ('07 - present) GNDOCA Board Member ('06 - present) Past local corps instructor and band director Previous student of Marty Hurley from the 1970's

I'd rather not get into names on the forum, and understand anyone's reasons for quitting any organization. We are continuing in this community to sacrifice endless amounts of time, effort, and hard-earned money to work and turn that around to build and produce something here for the community members to participate in. I understand that you do not want to be a part of that, and understand your reasons, which matter not to me one way or the other. That's the complete right for any corps member to choose, and we can all appreciate that. We did the same in our younger days in DCI where we gained our experience from some of the best instructors in some of the top corps. I did not know you were no longer participating AT ALL in GNODCA any longer when you unexpectadly advertised GCS's parade schedule on the GNODCA forum last week, when y'all were to be marching with us up to that point, or when you brought your drums to play at the Echoes parade rehearsal Jan 6th as a person seemingly interested in some level of participation with GNODCA. That was an opportunity for informing GNODCA of GCS's intentions for our planned parade we discussed at that rehearsal, and was announced even before then on our forum. I guess that goes to show that we are only now discovering some things concerning GCS that our eyes were not fully opened to over the last two years. You did not have to explain that you set all that up for GCS. We guessed that. As to your reference to the GCS drum major's invitation, we had no field corps or mini-corps unit to be able to participate in that, and my response is never anything but professional, besides that is not the same posting of the one's that GCS has made on the GNODCA forum that I am talking about. The parade organizations do not have everything laid out and know the exact days they are marching until the work with teh city to coordinate the many parades and the city approves everything each year only a few months before the parade, and so the parade organizations do not have contracts to have signed by marching groups, so no announcement could be given before it was, though we understand GCS's eagerness to know the dates so that y'all could come and march. All local band directors in this area are familiar with that process as they are approached by the parade organizations after they have their parade details approved by the city. We've all spoken here at GNODCA, and no one, including the people you referenced from your post, had any word from anyone at GCS at anytime until your post on the GNODCA forum last week that GCS was playing in the back-to back-parade with ours. It rolls immediately behind without pause between the two parade units, starting at the very same point on the very same day next Saturday. That's not really "earlier in the day" as you portray. And I'll bet that GCS planned us to be in Napoleon anyway, as we always are every year, and it would be a chance for GCS to compete against us when GCS knows they'd win, as another selling point for people to go see what GCS opportunities they have to offer. I don't blame GCS for wanting to make the money, as they should, or recruiting, as they should. I just wish GCS would be a bit more up-front in their actions and completely honest about their intentions. I am not interested in playing with GCS or anyone I perceive to not be completely up-front and less than completely honest in their intentions or actions. Many things mean much more to me than drum corps. Indeed, as you say, we are jumping on ice. Even before the hurricane we were, and it is only worse now after the hurricane, so we'd appreciate no one trying to create a crack in that ice until we can get our feet on better ground. All I'd like to see is GNODCA build something here, and those who want to build GCS operate in a more be up-front manner about their intentions. At least I'd be interested in the possibility of doing a lot performance with GCS then.

Funny how you guys solicit participation and assistance from the drum corps community, but shun collaborative efforts offered by your nearest neighbors. I know that they'd be more than glad to help at any time. All I did is post an offer as we post every year to everyone, and which we've had participants from all over the country come to join in on. Calm down. however, while you've opened the door on the matter..... Pardon me, but last year we gave GCS the Mardi Gras music GCS asked for from us that you now play, and invite others to come join GCS to play. Also, it was GCS that up until about three weeks ago had stated since December in communications with us through one of our common members, a band director in the New Orleans area, and previous GNODCA member, that GCS was planning to bring about 5 people to march with us for our Mardi Gras parade, which we said "GREAT, we are looking forward to it! We need you guys to participate with us". Until a couple of weeks ago without giving any prior indication or mention about it to us, which would be only polite to indicate GCS might possibly do, GCS backed out when they booked the exact New Orleans Mardi Gras parade GNODCA always marched every year since GNODCA's formation with open participation from some GCS members only since Hurricane Katrina focused your eyes on us. Hurricane Katrina is when GCS all of a sudden saw an opportunity to invite our members to participate in your drum corps activity only 4 or 5 hours away while we had nothing. We don't mind the competition. We just don't see why in the last two years, GCS is so interested in our small unconsequential drum corps activity we are trying to build over here in New Orleans when Texas is supposedly such a big state for you to occupy yourselves. It would not be for recruitment purposes of potential members from the New Orleans area, which has music as one of the few things we have to offer our area youth we are trying to attract at this point in our building process, would it? I'm sure not. Y'all are doing great things in Texas, and have not had to deal with loose of communities, homes, businesses, people from 10 feet of water sitting for weeks in a metro area of about 1 million people. We wish y'all the best, and hope to see you in competition someday. I must say, all these GCS actions, just like your comments, do not seem to end up helping GNODCA, as you say in words, but has actually done the opposite. It has however, really lighted a spark under some of us, and we hope to get at least a little something going here to bring to your own door steps soon. You guys sure are competitive, I'll give you that much. It would be nice to be competitive in a nice way though. You guys get the opportunity to participate with us, merket your GCS activity in person and on our GNODCA forum, you get our music, you get some of our members, now I seem to be missing what GNODCA gets out of the "collaborative effort". Maybe you can explain and help me understand what that is.

There is no comparison to the original thing. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, as done by a New Orleans drum corps. Echoes of New Orleans, a parade unit operating under the Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association (www.gnodca.org) is marching in the following parades. We need more horn players! Krewe of Caesar, January 26th at 6:00 PM, in Metairie, LA (The largest Metairie parade) There are only a few larger in New Orleans' two weeks of parades. Krewe of Isis, February 2nd at 6:00 PM, in Metairie, LA All are welcome to join in a parade and party like is only possible in New Orleans. We are well underway with recovery from Hurricane Katrina (2005), but are not letting anything or anything beat us down. We can probably provide you some true southern hosptiatlity that New Orleans is known for, and maybe put you up somewhere if the hotels are all booked, and you can check out the famous local historic scene. Go to www.gnodca.org and sign-on to ask any questions you like if you are interested. New Orleans: Great Food, Great Music, Great People! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Pardon for my ignorance on this subject. I obviously have not played bugle, but have a need to know the following at this time. Is there a general rule of thumb that applies to what keys two-valve and three-valve bugles were made? Have different manufacturers all produced bugles in the same keys for two-valve and three-valve bugles? Specifically I am wondering: What different keys have two-valve bugles been made? (only G?) Does the manufacturer matter in determining what keys two-valve bugles were made? What different keys have three-valve bugles been made? (G and B-flat?) Does the manufacturer matter in determining what keys three-valve bugles were made?

Some GNODCA members (www.gnodca.org)under the directorship of a couple of ex-Cavalier drummers who are band directors in our metro area, have auditioned and grasped the opportunity to perform as one of two selected NBA Hornets' drum lines. If you live in the metro New Orleans area and interested in participating in this group you may go to the GNODCA forum and post an inquiry under the "Drums" topic.

A little extra news as an outshoot of our GNODCA activity here in the New Orleans metro area. Some GNODCA members under the directorship of a couple of ex-Cavalier drummers who are band directors in our metro area, have auditioned and grasped the opportunity to perform as one of two selected NBA Hornets' drum lines. I look forward to announcing more good things to come out of GNODCA in the coming year.

With it stated that way, you have given me ideas for a show theme at Cirque Du Soliel.

Since hurricane Katrina, we have been in recover mode. I'd like to announce the following as another step forward for Drum Corps in New Orleans and GNODCA. I'm a little unsure of where to post this, and hope this is OK to post here. NOVA is a new performance unit forming 10/20/07, operating under the auspices of the non-profit organization, The Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association (GNODCA). Membership in GNODCA is required in order to participate in NOVA. NOVA encourages its members to participate in other GNODCA performance units. NOVA offers the opportunity for capable musicians to entertain the public by participating in mostly small non-competitive exhibition performance units, such as an ensemble or mini-corps, with limited rehearsals needed. Performances will most likely occur in the southeast Louisiana region in the formative years, or just beyond that only on rare occasion. Initially, the performance venues will consist of mostly non-traditional drum corps events so as not to be constrained by rules and regulations of competition, with a possible limited entry into more traditional DCA drum corps events. Initially, NOVA is intended to be a stand-still unit, performing mostly indoor, though outdoor events and some minimal marching can be considered as desired and deemed feasible. Beyond the formative years, NOVA may possibly branch into more competitive DCA arenas as the growth, support, and direction of the organization allows. NOVA’s first rehearsal will be 10/20/07. The first four rehearsals are listed below. Sat. 10/20/2007 at Alfred T. Bonnabel HS, Kenner, LA 1:00-3:00pm (Horns & Guard), 3:00-5:00pm (Drums) Sat. 11/10/2007 at Alfred T. Bonnabel HS, Kenner, LA 1:00-3:00pm (Horns & Guard), 3:00-5:00pm (Drums) Sat. 12/1/2007 at Alfred T. Bonnabel HS, Kenner, LA 1:00-3:00pm (Horns & Guard), 3:00-5:00pm (Drums) Sat. 12/8/2007 at Alfred T. Bonnabel HS, Kenner, LA 1:00-3:00pm (Horns & Guard), 3:00-5:00pm (Drums)

I was taught by Marty Hurley 74 & 75 in the Southern Rebels, and was hired for the 1979 and 1980 seasons to write durm parts and instruct the Bleu Raeders drum line. I perform in GNODCA's unit Echoes, and we currently use the Bleu Raeders cadence. Marty had published the Bleu Raeder's cadence. With Marty's permission, I re-wrote and emailed him his lost cadence (stuck in my memory) used by the Southern Rebels. I am forming a new GNODCA unit, 10/20/07 called "NOVA". We will be using that Southern Rebel cadence.

Open Auditions for Professional Drum Line Opportunity A professional drum line is being formed with all performances intended to take place in the New Orleans area. Each performer will be paid per performance. The opportunity to participate as an initial performing member is being offered. Priority for selection of players will be based on the following. • Professional attitude and dependability • Versatility to perform using both traditional & matched grip as required • Physically capable of possibly carrying any individual instrument (snare, tenor, bass, cymbal) while performing necessary marching and maneuvering • Ability to read music and quickly memorize music and short marching routines • Candidates will most likely be individuals above high school age, over 18 years old, though anyone under 18 is welcome to attempt to meet the commitment needed for the many weekly performances and rehearsals with the necessary parental support • Candidates will most likely live within a one hour drive from New Orleans to be able to meet the demands of the frequency of weekly rehearsals and performances on weekends and some weekday evenings • Individual member’s participation is at the sole discretion of the director Details of the performance opportunities will be provided to potential performers at two auditions; 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm on 9/9/07 and on 9/16/07 at the Destrehan High School band room. All drum equipment will be supplied for the audition, and intended participants need only bring their own pair of sticks to perform on snare and tenor. Interested individuals will be asked to perform a very short sight-reading selection on snare, then tenor, and be asked to play up to 30 seconds of anything they would like to play without written music as improvisation on snare, then tenor to display their capabilities. If all positions are filled on 9/9/07 the opportunity still exists at the 9/16/07 audition to participate as a back-up to fill-in or permanently replace a performing member as needed. Announcement of intended participants to be considered for immediate available positions or back-up positions will occur immediately at the end of each audition (9/9/07 & 9/16/07). The final determination of specific spots for those selected individuals is intended to be announced before 9/29/07 by way of a personal communication. Location of Destrehan High School: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlo...%20%28K%2d12%29 Please do not call Destrehan High School with any questions, as we are merely making use of their facilities, and the school is not directly associated with this drum line.

See audition notice in post below from 8/21/07... Also discussed on the GNODCA forum (www.gnodca.org).

See audition notice in post below from 8/21/07...

We are considering approaching our local NFL team to discuss the possibility of their interest in our organization's drum corps alumni drumline participation as a drum line for their organization. Before doing this, I was hoping to speak to individuals from other such lines that are experienced in such discussions to learn something more of what is involved in such an obligation, instead of walking blindly into discussions on the matter with the team. I have tried making contact with a few different drum lines for NFL teams, through the team page, and through personal email from contacts listed on related corps' web sites and such, but have had no reponses yet. If you or anyone you know personally, is directly involved in one of these NFL drum lines, I would greatly appreciate this message being relayed to them, and possibly provide me their contact information via a PM. Thank You.

In looking to expand my composition capabilities to incorporate nice funk drumming for marching percussion, I thought it would be a good idea to study a book or two of great funk drumming patterns. Can anyone recommend one or two of the greatest funk drumming books for drum set? I can't buy more than one or two, so I'd like to buy the best of the best. Suggestions?

I am a member of the Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association (www.GNODCA.org). We are drum corps alumni striving to rejuvenate the activity in the local area, starting with our own re-introduction to a limited level of participation in the activity as a parade unit (Echoes), and leading to more performance units and opportunities starting next year, and hopefully introducing younger membership participation as we move forward in time. We are in need of any set of marching drums that we can get, as we are operating with a variety of individual's own equipment at the moment. We are a bit better equipped with a couple of dozen bugles. Would you possibly have any ideas on contacts we might be able to make, or avenues we might consider pursuing for assistance in obtaining any used battery percussion instruments, either at an extremely low cost, or possibly even donated? We are quite limited on funding for purchasing anything. Suggestions, or donations of any kind to the Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association are greatly appreciated. Any suggestions or ideas that would help us in our attempts to acquire equipment, either drums or bugles? Thank you, Brian Hinrichs hinrichs@cox.net GNODCA member

GNODCA's only performance unit, Echoes of New Orleans, is gearing up again for next year's Mardi Gras parade in February 2007, with our new rehearsal schedule, GNODCA.org, and everyone from anywhere is invited to come and participate in the 7 mile Mardi Gras parade with us again, or just drop in for one rehearsal if you're passing through. As for what is new for our drum corps association, we are attempting the formation of a new more active small performance unit under the GNODCA umbrella. In our first year (maybe two), we'll be playing the old jazz sounds of New Orleans (how fitting). The thought is that there are not many corps that can play the music that there city is known for, so we should proudly take advantage of that? That new unit should hopefully get off the ground in the coming weeks, if we indeed have the necessary minimal level of participation. Hopefully, this group will be able to venture outside of the New Orleans area within the next couple of years, but we have many obstacles to overcome to accomplish that.

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