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BrassClef

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Posts posted by BrassClef

  1. My good friend from college, who never had the money or time to march DCI, who is now a elementary music teacher in Florida was really excited to march Thunder this past season. She enjoyed it so much she was excited to continue, until they came out with this news.

    Hopefully they can be successful in DCI. Cautiously optimistic here.

  2. So this weekend, re-affirmed my passion for teaching:

    The hornline circled the staff up after the last run through of the season, and played the corps song for us.

    At finals, when the corps hit the final push in the closer, I lost it.

    As we circled up outside the stadium waiting for retreat, the members coming up, giving me hugs, expressing their thanks and just seeing them truly enjoying the moment.

    THAT is what is all about.

    And now I'm sitting at work haha.

  3. Here is some words of wisdom, from someone that isn't very old (I'm just shy of my 25th birthday)

    8th grade - I switched to french horn, fell in love with music, and decided I wanted to be a band director.

    High school, did everything imaginable I could to tailor my experience to help me to get into college for music.

    Went to a state University with a great music program, and one of the BEST marching bands in the country.

    Rooked-out with one of the top Open Class corps in DCI.

    I was on track for Music Ed, but with the requirements for the state of Massachusetts, I would of had to spend an extra three semesters to get my Ed certification. I was getting burned out - on top of the extra $$$$ for school. It was not worth it, to spend all my time as a teacher - FIGHTING for my job. I liked making music, I liked teaching kids, I liked seeing them grow and get excited about music. I did not like the political BS and everything else that comes with public schools.

    I decided to change my major to just a General BA in Music, and graduate on time.

    I spent the following summer working for the same corps I marched at. I then went on to Instrument repair school, and loved it. I thought I found a new passion, I was also pretty good at it. After coming home from the one year program, I got a job, MAKING french horns....by HAND.

    Literally my dream job. I made sacrifices, it wasn't a high paying job (almost one of the lowest I had) and was 3 hours away from "home" Three months into it, the company went under, and everyone was fired.

    Coming into christmas, I had two fresh degrees, and now no job. I applied to the Credit Union I worked at part time through college, and got a senior teller position. I have been here since February, I have a great job, with great benefits, and I just closed on my first condo. I teach drum corps on the weekend, and color guard/marching band two days a week.

    I have a shop in my garage where I fix and clean (primary) brass instruments and some day I will start building my own horns. I play in a community band in the summer, and music is still a huge part of my life.

    Moral of the story: You can pursue your passions, and it doesn't have to be YOUR DAY JOB. It's safe to say I still have an impact on kids lives, and get them excited about music, it's just after rehearsal I go home and don't have to deal with the school.

    If there is a will you will find a way, if there isn't, you'll find an excuse.

    Sorry for the long post.....

    • Like 7
  4. The moderating team can't see everything, as much as we'd like to. If you see something that you'd like us to take a look at, please feel free to use that handy report button down there in the bottom left of a post.

    Right. With the sheer volume of threads that go on here, with all the different sub forums, unless you have a HUGE moderating team, it's not going to happen. It's the nature of the beast. I'm sure all the moderators here have lives, probably busier than those that post all the time on here.....

  5. So if it rains, do they delay the show, or just go with the Prelims results?

    On another note, wasn't it 2009 where they did Open Class FInals week at the dome as well? Might not be the worst idea in the world, because poor weather during this week has been a trend since at least 08.

    Go SCVC! Bring it home!

    in 2011, Pre-lims got rained out - so they just did Finals. For those looking to edge out others, it was a no go and finals placement I'm pretty sure was the same from the focus show. I'm not sure if they would delay or reschedule finals...probably not because it's Open Class and DCI doesn't really care about them.

  6. I just saw that. Logged into check that I saw that right and saw this.

    They were called a marching band in the segment though :rolleyes:/>

    a majority of the people watching the daily show would be really confused if the segment was called, " The Drum corps news that you can barely hear"

    what's a drum corps?

    Either way - it was fun for those members who were involved, and they played part of the show :)

    Couldn't be prouder

  7. As a repair tech. The newer chinese instruments, are a hit or miss. I bought a Schiller 4 valve euphonium (brand new $500) YEP-321 copy, and it seems to be holding up with minimal tuning issues, even for someone who uses it in college, in ensembles (non music major)

    That being said even well known makers are using the same horns for their student models. BACH Tr-500's are the biggest pieces of crap I have ever seen. It's sad that a poorly made instrument could possibly deter a new player from continuing because the equipment doesn't work the way it should.

  8. We are still actively seeking one mellophone. The tuition has been completely paid, looking for someone with experience on the mellophone is preferred. Great chance to spend the rest of your summer marching - for free.

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