Mello - Benji

I'm somewhat sure that all accounts expire at the same time with the idea that you would buy them once the season starts (or something like that). DCI customer support is usually pretty good. Send them an email.

As far as marching is concerned, come march open class. Legends has a euphonium hole and it's a really strong program. Shameless plugs aside, I just finished freshmen year at WMU as a horn major. I'm assuming your looking into music for college, so here goes. The best thing you can do for yourself is practice daily (easier said than done). It's already been said, but learning your scales now will save you a lot of work later. Memorized, consistent, different articulations, inside, outside, upside down, etc. That alone puts you well ahead of your age group. Also helps with a lot of playing and technique issues. Practice logs have helped me considerably. Take notes of your sessions. What are you practicing? What are you trying to accomplish? How long are you going to work on it? Were you able to accomplish what you wanted? What do you need to do to be able to reach your goal? etc. I had to read the book "The Musician's Way" for my horn lessons. It's a great book with a lot of really important information about being a musician in general (Practice/nerves/auditions/etc). It might be worth your time to check out. There's also a lot of good info on the website and blog. http://www.musiciansway.com/ Best of luck. Edit-Clarity.

Bought, downloading now. Watched a few of them, and the audio is significantly better than what has been on the fan network of OC in Lucas Oil. All in all, not bad.

Amazing night. Really impressed by the level of open class this season. It seems as though all corps, even the lower place corps, are significantly better than in recent years. Good weather, seats on the 45 and about half way up. Let's do this... Disclaimer - From the perspective of a brass player. Sorry percussion/guard people. Stragnas - First thing I noticed was the small hornline (10 or so members), so I wasn't all too sure what to expect. Let it be said that they sound great! You could tell that everyone knew their part, and were strong players. I wasn't expecting the full sound, and difficult licks to be executed as well as they were. Very in tune, and they really filled the stadium. The music was exciting, and the drum major salute was especially awesome (Star Trek V sign, live long and prosper thingy). Held together great as an ensemble, and while I understand their placement on the basis of member numbers, I didn't notice any particularly weak members, and their was a lot of energy into their production. Great way to start the night. Lastly, props to the mellophones on their ostinatos. Very clean and one of the best mello sounds all night. Genesis - I can't believe this is a first year corps. Best lead sops I've ever heard in an open class corps. Very Kenton arrangement of La Suerte de Los Tontos, and very well executed. When I saw Malaguena in the program, I was instantly wary. I've heard other open class corps try to do it, and it typically seems to be disappointing. This was an exception. They pulled it off extremely well. Very loud, good sound with just the right amount of trumpet edge. Baritone soloist sounded great, and there were several moments that left me feeling like a giddy schoolgirl throughout the show. With regard to the trumpet trio, I was expecting it be more on the safe side. They were completely balls out, and again, best sops I've heard in open class. As a whole, there were some dirty isolated attacks, and at this point, it really is small details that I'm sure are being addressed. Very impressive corps. I can't wait to see what they do in the future. The crowd loved them. Spartans - Clean show, I liked the music when I saw it, but I don't really remember it. I was still in awe of Malaguena at this point in time, and it felt a little flat from a performance stand point after hearing Genesis. Blue Saints - A very small and young group. With the members as young as they are, it's really hard to put together a show. Drumline was definitely the strongest section, and I can tell the horns are really working out there. Saw them on a webcast awhile back, and it was hard to tell what they were even doing for most of the show. They've really cleaned up, and I get the feeling that for a lot of the hornline has never played a brass instrument before this summer, and it's great to see how far they've came since the beginning. Spirit of Newark - Again, fairly small corps with a lot of young members. I've seen them in previous years, and they've really stepped up. Fun show, good Styx tunes, and an all around enjoyable program with some really impressive moments in there. Missed Music City and 7th Regiment. Went to go see Legends warm up. They've been working their butts off on fundamentals since December, and their warm up choral/segments are incredible. Great sounds all around, very in tune, and loud as balls. Velvet Knights - Very fun show. It's VK, so there's a lot of funny moments, and it really grabs your attention. I love the music, I just wish it was cleaner. Noticing feet in the sound, intonation, members sticking out, etc., but regardless, it's VK, and you can't help but love the show. Sweet Jai Ho dance and kick line in the closer (Can-Can). They are out there for no other reason that to please the crowd, and they definitely did that. Legends - I remember seeing them during all days and listening to their warm-ups and being blown away by their depth of sound, especially so early season. At that point in time, I was just wishing they could get that sound and power on the field. They have done just that. Great show, and the added props have really brought the show together from a design stand point. It's great to see the guard coming along very strong, and really stepping it up from previous years. Very powerful low brass and tubas. Also, from the perspective of a horn player, this corps has the best mellophone sound in open class. The alto horn mouthpieces really bring a depth and darkness you don't usually hear from a mellophone section. Very entertaining show, and while I am very biased (Marched there 06-08, returning for 11), I do expect them to take another spot or two before the season is over. I still have yet to see this corps take a step back, and they're better and stronger every year. Home show crowd love them. OC Quarter Finals is going to be an awesome show =]

In 07, Legends was using my High School's old pleather uniforms. They were sweaty... =]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us =]

Ouch =[

I've been to the last few Legends' camps, and I am fairly confident they have the potential to make finals. The hornline is looking strong and the little bit of show music they have is incredible. Great show, great staff, and building on last year; they'll be fine. <3 the big hairy Ledge

I strongly agree with this man. I've been with Legends for the last three years, and being a part of a starting corps and seeing it grow is a really amazing experience. I would strongly recommend you help build this new corps.

Epic bump!

I brought twister to the first couple of camps. We could only get guys to play. =\ We had been at a school in Michigan City rehearsing for a couple of days. It was about 3am and I woke up to use the bathroom. I was tired, fairly out of it, and as soon as I got to the gym doors to go into the hall, they all of sudden open like magic. Now I'm a little freaked out, and as I go through the door our brass caption head and corps director are standing there holding the door trying not to laugh. I do double check of everything while all sorts of thoughts are swirling around my barely conscious mind, mostly to the extent of "What's going on?" "Woah.... is it almost time to get up?" "No, it's like 3 in the morning." "Aright... later." I found out later they were just walking by, and they saw me and decided to do it. EDIT-Punctuation and stuff

I've played on a Yamaha Bb horn in all of the marching/corps-like ensembles I've been in (Legends drum and bugle corps/winter brass and percussion, marching band, jazz band), and it's been my experience that it is possible to get a really nice, almost horn like sound out of them, and at the same time, they can get really raucous and almost trumpet like sound at extremely loud registers (This varies a lot depending on the maturity of the player). If it's for a minicorps, I think these would be great. I absolutely love the sound my section for Legends winterline is getting out of them this season, and we only have 3 people in my section (There's video on Youtube if you want to hear it. Search "Legends 2008 Alegria"). I can't really compare them to the other alternatives though. I hope this helps.

-Get in shape -Stop fracking -Tone when loud -Soft playing -Lip trills -Figure out stopped horn -Get a strong high F vs. my current squirrelly, "I don't know who did that, but they better not do it again" one. (Concert Bb above staff). -Play louder in low range. -Stop sucking. =\

No, Ticheli's.

Going through my iTunes playlist... 1. Concertino in Blue. This is from the Drummania/Guitar Freaks video game series in Japan. I would love to see this arranged for a corps. The trumpet part would be insane! 2. Second part of Farewell to Red Castle. I've been listening to an AHQ recording of this with the NY Philharmonic horns (Take 9). This is a really beautiful piece and would be great for mellophone/baritone/euphonium features/solos. 3. Paycheck (Legends indoor arrangement). This is such a great piece to play, and would be great to see on a field. 4. Aquarius (Future corps arrangement). Loud, awesome, energetic, etc. 5. Wild Nights. If arranged right, I think this would be great for a closer. Edit - added Wild Night

I was REALLY pumped to get back to my high school marching band after corps. Most of our brassline had marched Legends, the staff was almost exactly the same, and the arrangements were by the same guy who arranges for our corps (awesome mello books). The only frustrating part (besides the few people who could have cared less) was constantly getting called out for playing too loud. =)

I use Target brand lip balm (comes in a two pack for $.99). It gives your chops a cool, tingly sensation which gets rid of the pain when you're first warming up, and then I just reapplied every time it started bugging me again.

Wishing everyone Kanstuls.

At a parade "From Warren Michigan, the Legends rock band."

Being a french horn player, it's been my experience on trumpet, that to get into the high range it's best to dig the mouthpiece as far into your face as you can. If you're doing it right, you should feel a nice bruise on your right pinky after playing for awhile. =)

Legends is playing New Beginnings by Paul Boyer.

The second they hold audition camps in Michigan, I'm gone. =)

In 2006, most of the brassline could sing "The Internet Is For Porn" from Avenue Q by the end of the season. Last season, we didn't really have a song, but we did have the corps (all 40+) singing Bohemian Rhapsody at the top of our lungs in a pool. Good times.

Lol... EVERYTHING is a controversy on DCP. I wouldn't worry too much about if I was you. =]

http://www.orion-productions.net/Pages/music-001.htm They've got a full recording of "National youth jazz orchestra" playing. Jazz flute's hot! I hope that helps.