Scooter Pirtle

For sure:

Don't forget this one: Bugle Rag

This is a good post. Keep in mind that the Bach mellophone mouthpieces utilize the traditional mellophone mouthpiece sizing which is closer to an alto mouthpiece. These are much larger than the trumpet cup sized modern mellophone mouthpieces that became popular beginning in the 1960s and prompted further into usage by drum corps. While some folks love these and they are, by many people's opinions, a more appropriately sized mouthpiece for an F-pitched instrument, you may want to utilize the more common sized mouthpiece if you are utilizing your instrument in a drum corps environment. If you are currently on a Bach 3 rim diameter, you should try a Hammond 5MP which is 16.63 mm or the 6MP which is 16.45 mm (compared to the 3C's 16.30 mm cup diameter). Both are great mouthpieces. Also, if you have an established music store in your area that has been around for awhile, they will probably have a few Bach mellophone mouthpieces in stock for you to try. Who knows, you may actually love that size!

Even Wilt is impressed with that score! Congrats to the Golden Eagles!

Your insights, as always, are greatly appreciated. This thread has been an eye opener for me. I had no idea so many music students were losing scholarships because of drum corps. It's really a sad situation.

That may be the case, but most corps disclose the mouthpiece sizes they require in the audition materials. Auditionees who read the info offered to them should be aware that they may be asked to switch if they are using a mouthpiece significantly different. BTW, what's the political consequence resulting from a deeper cup mouthpiece?

Obviously this student is very lucky to have you in his corner. You’ve helped him over the period of many years develop into a player worthy of a scholarship. His college instructor will no doubt continue to develop him into a talented performer. Every great player can cite caring people like you who helped him or her develop. My college professor hated that a participated in a drum corps, even though the technique program was virtually identical to the methodology he learned at Northwestern. The faculty at this university gleefully reduced by jury grade by one letter solely because I participated in drum corps (and told me this during each jury!). So, I’m familiar with the animosity between colleges and drum corps that existed back in the day. And I don’t regret participating in the activity at all. But to learn your student will have his scholarship canceled because he performs on a deeper cup mouthpiece than his college professor specified for him is truly sad and shocking. I only hope that your student reviews this with the drum corps and some sort of compromised can be reached. Thank you for sharing this story.

If the student is seriously considering a career in instrumental performance, he really needs to learn how to adapt.

A drum corps has every right to specify a mouthpiece to be used by members when performing in their organization. It's the organization's prerogative. A band director has every right to specify a mouthpiece to be used by members when performing in their organization. It's his/her prerogative. The performer has every right to use whatever mouthpiece(s) he/she chooses when performing outside said organizations. It's his/her prerogative. I sincerely doubt any corps would demand a member exclusively utilize their specified mouthpiece for performances outside of corps-related performances/rehearsals.

Hello Tom: Get well soon. The world needs as many French horn buglers as possible. BTW, glad to know they used the Cook Group stents. I just hope they weren't the ones we used to clean out the mellophones! See you in Rochester!!

The rifling works okay, but you must remember to keep the "safety" on at all times!

I was in the corps when Hitler attended a Star of Indiana rehearsal. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy the hornline, but thought the show we did that season was a little obtuse. Wait a minute. That might have been John Mellencamp.

I loved the '86 show. The demand level was through the roof for the marching members for that era. That hornline was flawless in the arc by late season. Keep in mind that the corps was feverishly preparing for their performance at the Statue of Liberty rededication that summer. They had 30 minutes of patriotic music prepared (that they had to somehow learn on the road outside their regular rehearsal schedule). I heard a recounting suggesting that when the big day finally came, the corps performed their show at the Statue and was immediately whisked off the stage. They never had an opportunity to perform all the music they learned through the summer. Can you imagine what that must have felt like? Anybody able to confirm this? All I know is all the other corps got treated to a new piece every night at retreat compliments of the Garfield Cadets.

Sounds reasonable. Do you have a shoe size recommendation that we can all wear too?

Alden, are you sure the neighbor isn't responsible for the broken window? If the broken glass is strewn in the house, that's a dead giveaway (at least according to the last NCIS episode I saw). Of course, the rock with a threatening note tied to it is also a dead giveaway.

Yepper: http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Produ.../BM-BASS-P.aspx [Visions of Alden playing Resphigi in his living room while his wife tries to watch Idol]

Congrats Scott! Your insights are valued by a lot of folks!

It taught me that there is indeed a valid reason why the tagline to the original movie Aliens might actually be true: "In space, no one can hear you scream." However, the whole thing about sound pressure waves not existing in a vacuum (e.g. space) could debunk the whole "space chord" phenomenon. I mean, wouldn't it be a bummer to drive the busses and equipment trucks all the way to space only to find out there's no sound?

The great mellophonist Don Elliott started a comeback in the early '80s on the Flugabone. There was even an article in the New York Times that featured a photo of him playing the horn. So Francis Ford Coppola is a brass player? Who knew?! BTW, Did Kanstul produce a set of copper bell mellophoniums for a European military band?

Dang. I know I want to do this. Plus, Jonathan is going to love your music selection this year:

Interesting topic. Brian Tolzman would have the stats, but I remember one of his interesting reports documented a 30% decrease in competition corps between 1978 and 1979. There had to be numerous factors that created this environment ranging from: - Operational expenses (insurance, in particular increased substantially during the late 70s until present) - A population decrease in the age range for junior corps participants (I guess the baby boomers finally got tired of procreating!) I haven't performed ample research, but anecdotally (as someone who was of drum corps age in the 1980s) it seems there were more competing activities drawing kids away from the activity. Whether it be the need to have a job to maintain a car (which, granted has existed since the 40s), or the impact Mtv had on kids dropping traditional band instruments for the keytar and guitar, to a general trend of drifting away from activities involving such a high commitment level. One could possibly argue that the performance demands required of participants began to ramp up during this period, possibly limiting qualified candidates.

Oh, mommy!

I think their show, "A Salute to Helen Reddy," will rock.

Ha! I just saw this. Firstly, if our names in any way represented our playing abilities, you, Chris, would be named "Lord Thor Manhammer!" Secondly, congrats on continuing your reign as director of the Renegades!!!

All of Rochut is "technical," but I think the intent of the book was to provide flowing vocalise-type exercises (which these exercises all do!). If you're using this as an audition piece for a corps, I think it would be appropriate to play it as written to demonstrate your phrasing, breath control, and musicality. If you feel in doubt, you could be prepared to perform it with the tempo brightened a bit and without some of the slur markings to bring up the articulation demand a bit. Best of luck!!