Mystikal

That will most assuredly not be a problem this season!

Mystikal April Camp Update Mystikal recently held an extremely successful April Camp in Rio Grande Valley, Texas. The Brass and Percussion ensembles met together for the first time this season and were very productive. The Brass ensemble was able to complete the opener and ballad music, while the Percussion ensemble (meeting as a full ensemble for the first time) was taught and played through the opener music. The corps also spent a portion of the camp learning 15 drill sets of the opener and the opening body movement sequence. Several California members attended this milestone camp. The members arrived at the camp to a special treat on Friday: a new set of brass instruments! Already the brass ensemble sounded great, especially considering that out of 40 members just 2 have previous drum corps experience, but with the new brass instruments the corps will sound phenomenal. Corps Director Chris Magonigal is very pleased with the direction the corps is heading. “I think what we have accomplished in the past 4 months as a group is amazing,” he said. “We had 3 total members in January when we started and we will continue to step it up to take Mystikal to the next level. This season is about the performance and will be our “introduction” to the competitive portion of the activity. I am pretty sure we will shock a few people before the season is over. The kids from Texas are looking forward to going out to California and having a great summer!” At the April Camp, the corps leadership was also finalized and announced. Emily Roman will be Lead Conductor and Jenny Ramsey will serve as Field Conductor. Daniel Cantu was appointed as the 2009 Horn Sergeant. Assisting Daniel will be Mellophone Section Leader: Sierra Villareal and Tuba Section Leader: Chris Meyer. Center Snare: Jerry Gamez was appointed as the Percussion Ensemble Section Leader. Amanda Black (California Native and Mellophone player) was interviewed at the end of the camp and had this to say. “Except for the heat, this camp weekend has been amazing and this is way more advanced than my high school band program.” After several months of planning, Missy Hill and Nathan Ortiz were very proud of the Color Guard’s April Camp. The Guard was able to learn about 1 minute and 30 seconds of the opener’s choreography and members are so excited that the season is now here and they will be meeting new lifelong friends from Texas and from other corps in the Pacific Region. The Color Guard is still accepting qualified applicants to fill out the ensemble. If there are any interested color guard performers wanting to perform this summer, please email mhill@mystikal-corps.org. Mystikal has one final camp May 22 – 24 to prepare before moving the Texas based operations to California to join with the California operations and members for the Drum Corps International’s 2009 Summer Music Games Tour. This will be first season for Mystikal to jump into the full-time corps status. This new direction for the corps has proven to be successful. Please support the corps’ new vision by donating your time, food, money or attend Mystikal Youth Arts Organization’s “Drums Along the Pacific” Sunday July 12, 2009 in the East Los Angeles College Stadium. For more information visit Mystikal's website at www.mystikal-corps.org.

There is still a chance to make a Drum Corps Drumline and have a great summer! Mystikal DBC will be holding it's second Drumline auditions on Jan. 17 and 18th at Villa Park High School in Villa Park California! We are offering you the opportunity to be part of a growing drumline, a shorter summer tour, opportunities to play in venues like Disney and Seaworld and get a world class education and amazing Drum Corps experience. All of this AND our tour fees are considerably cheaper then the rest! We are auditioning all skill levels and are looking for the right attitude and desire to be part of our program. Please visit www.mystikal-corps.org to get all the info. Come out and be part of the 2009 DCI season and join our growing family! Chris Magonigal Corps Director Mystikal DBC

We can see where this may be the perception, but it could not be further from the truth. We have waited until after the Revolution camp to move forward with our audition process and Master Class at PSJA Memorial. It is a fantastic facility and since our Visual Caption Head is a director there, and the brass staff hails from the RGV area, it only makes sense. Our hopes are that auditions should be just about wrapped up for anyone else in the area and we can provide another alternative to those who still wish to march or were unable to afford the cost of traveling outside the area. We have no concern with, or feel the need to create competition with, Revolution or anyone else, as our product is different and offers a different option for the drum corps experience. I think we can all agree that there is an abundance of talent in the area, just as Revolution seems to feel the same about the Florida area, and there is no need for any "heavy competition". We are bringing another opportunity for education and continued learning for young musicians, which is our focus. We understand there was a significant turn out for the Revolution camp, so we would have to assume they have their numbers contracted, or close to it, with the numbers that are showing up for their camps, and we are not infringing on that in any way. Our staff was built out of great educators that are dedicated to our vision and who they have worked for in the past should not be an issue of any sort. We all know a staff is built over time and many staff members move on to other opportunities when they feel it is best for them. We thank you for your observation and allowing us to clear up a few of these topics.

That is a great question! Our intention is to pull the two groups together for a two week all days in June and then complete a two week tour. This season our focus will be providing a positive experience through our educational offerings and performances. Since we are not making a trip to finals until 2010 we are looking at offering students the opportunity to not only experience Drum Corps but to travel the West Coast on a 2 week tour and perform at some very big venues (more details to come soon), while being able to return home early enough to start their summer band programs or prep for college.

Mystikal Youth Arts Organization is pleased to announce their first Drum Corps Master Class/Auditions in the state of Texas! On Saturday, January 24th Robert Flores, Mystikal Brass Caption Head and Rio Grande Valley area Band Director, will host Alfredo Velez III. with a brass warm-up Master Class. The Master Class, as well as our afternoon Drum Corps Experience Clinic and Audition, will focus on breathing and warm-up techniques used in the outdoor ensemble setting, as well as introducing brass ensemble repertoire. The entire experience is tentatively set at PSJA Memorial High School in Alamo Texas from 9am to 5pm and is open to any brass student looking to improve their performance, gain valuable experience or explore the possibilities we have to offer for the summer Drum Corps tour. Cost is $40 per student and includes the Master Class, Experience Rehearsal, Audition fee and lunch. Please see our website, www.mystikal-corps.org for all the information! With our current brass and visual staff being comprised of Music Educators in the Texas Valley, it is only natural that we broaden our vision to encompass this very talent rich area. “I am pleased to be able to bring the Drum Corps Experience to the Texas Valley!” says Corps Director Chris Magonigal. “Our vision is to create a long term Brass Ensemble rooted in the RGV area that the students and educators there can be proud of and call their own. This is the first step in that process and our hope is to bring an affordable, less time consuming Drum Corps alternative to these talented music students.” Our Clinician, Alfredo Vélez III, is Assistant Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands at Sam Houston State University. In this capacity, Mr. Vélez directs the Symphonic Band, Basketball Bands, and the Bearkat Marching Band. In addition to these ensemble responsibilities, he also teaches courses in advanced conducting and music education. Alfredo Vélez holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Music Education from Angelo State University. Mr. Vélez is in constant demand as guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, National Band Association and the College Band Directors National Association. Remember to check out www.mystikal-corps.org for all of our updates and for more info on all our Clinic and Audition dates! You can also email any questions or requests for further info to cmagonigal@mystikal-corps.org.

Great concept! Sounds like it's going to be a great undertaking. Good luck to you all this season!

Mystikal DBC is pleased to announce the addtition of Jose Iraheta as our 2009 Percussion Caption Head!! Jose Iraheta - Percussion Caption Head - has been the percussion caption head for the WGI Independent "A" Silver Medalist and SCPA Independent "A" Gold Medalist Full Force Percussion. He began his teaching career in 2002, teaching at various local high schools. He has marched with the Black Knights Winter Drumline (2000 - 2004); Riverside Community College (2002 - 2004); Impulse Drum & Bugle Corps (2001 - 2003). He currently resides in Long Beach, CA, where he plans to return to school, and obtain his degree on Music Education / Performance Theory. Jose became part of the Vic Firth Education Team, after his success in Dayton this past April. Having extensive knowledge in both marching and symphonic percussion, Jose holds several awards and scholarships for his passion in the art of percussion. Jose is also a highly accomplished brass player, having earned the Dan Stover High School Musical Scholarship in 2001 and the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Music Award for Tuba in 2002. "We are pleased to have Jose join the Mystikal family and have high expectations for our Percussion Caption this season! Jose has proven to be a valuable teacher and brings with him a great staff ready to take this challenge head on!" Chris Magonigal, Corps Director

Kuzma named Administrative Consultant for Mystikal December 8, 2008 Gregory M. Kuzma, who simply goes by "GM", has been named Administrative Consultant for the California-based Mystikal Drum & Bugle Corps. Kuzma brings to Mystikal much experience from his 15 years of involvement in the performing arts activity. Along with his time as a performer at the junior and senior corps levels, he has also served in various roles as a visual instructor, driver, cook, tour manager and corps director. He has authored a memoir about his experiences as a member of the Blue Knights (“On the field from Denver, Colorado…The Blue Knights!”). Kuzma has also served 10 years as a member of the Armed Forces as a Logistics Officer. “I’m very excited to be working with such a strong organization,” said Kuzma. “I look forward to helping Mystikal grow organizationally in the coming years and reaching their competitive potential.” Currently a management consultant, marching band clinician and visual judge with the Central States Judges Association, Kuzma will be helping develop and guide the drum corps’ overall organizational program, ensuring that members have a rewarding and educational experience with the drum corps. "We could not be more pleased to have the caliber of counsel that GM brings to the table. Coupled with the fantastic group of Educators and Admin. staff we have assembled Mystikal is primed to make huge strides toward the next level and beyond!" -Chris Magonigal, Corps Director The corps will provide an educated and well informed training staff that will expand the corps member’s horizons with innovative teaching techniques, an enthusiasm to teach, that matches the member’s enthusiasm to learn, facilities and resources that will also help each corps member achieve their fullest potential. Please remember to check out our website at www.mystikal-corps.org for all the details!

As usual OC comes out of the NW with a kicking show. I hope that the corps will visit SoCal this summer.

Mystikal is proud to give a peek at our 2009 production titled Relentless : The Music of Andrew Boysen Jr. Our musical vision will encompass several of Boysen's works including Symphony No. 4 , Unraveling , Song for Lindsay and Relentless . Our musical and visual goals for this production are original, exciting and innovative, and will allow for growth of everyone involved. Be on the look out for more info as our vision develops. In addition we are in the process of updating our website with staff bios and show info so please visit http://mystikal-corps.org often for all the latest news including audition dates, camps, and membership info.

Mystikal Drum and Bugle Corps is pleased to announce our first wave of Educational and Administrative staff for the 2009 season: In addition to Corps Director Wes Roberts, Chris Magonigal will serve as Assistant Director and Design Consultant. Robert Flores will spearhead our Brass efforts as Brass Caption Head with Amanda Brandt taking on the role of Visual Caption Head. Brass arrangements by Eric Senzig and Financial Consultation from Sharon McCabe will round out an exceptional core of staff to build upon. With the nucleus of our staff in place we are currently taking resumes and inquiries for all sectional Tech positions as well as Volunteer staff. Please send your info wroberts@mystikal-corps.org The new staff members are looking forward to the challenge of bringing Mystikal through the 2009 season and beyond. They are working tirelessly to put together a staff dedicated to our Corps values and educational goals, and are anticipating a great audition process.

Mystikal Youth Arts Organization is please to announce David Roberts as the new Corps Director. David comes to Mystikal with drum corps experience as well as being a band director. David obtained his BA in Music Education from Jacksonville State University and is currently working on his Masters of Music at University of Texas at San Antonio. He is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, ATPE, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, International Horn Society and the American Conductor’s Guild. David was the director for Revolution from 2006 – 2008 and he is currently the Director of Bands for Virginia Stacy JR./SR. High School in San Antonio, TX. David is excited to take on this role as the new Corps Director and build the corps, which tends to be his strength. His goals and objectives will take the corps into a new direction that will help increase and retain members along improving the overall program.

Come out and hear about the "NEW ERA" for Mystikal and the new Corps Director. There are a lot of new changes that will improve the corps on and off the field. Please plan to attend both rounds for auditions (Housing will not be provided). - Round 1: Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14, 2008 Time 10a - 2p - Round 2: Saturday & Sunday, January 10 & 11, 2009 Time 10a - 2p Cost: $50 for BOTH Rounds Location: Villa Park High School Band Room, 18042 Taft Ave, Villa Park, CA 92861 All candidates should bring their own instruments. Please wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothes. Audition packets will be passed out at registration. For more information, please visit our website: mystikal-corps.org and view the information under "Membership" for detailed information.

The Mystikal Youth Arts Organization are looking for qualified candidates for the following positions: 1) Corps Director 2) Quartermaster 3) Visual Caption Head If interested, please send resume to info@mystikal-corps.org.