HornTeacher

jwillis -- thank you for the detailed overview of your personal "process." Nothing beats a short, concise, but effective seminar free of tuition or registration fees!!

As am I. And though this is not, in any shape, manner, or form a Trooper fan site, it remains that I wish them well in their 2016 endeavors. I hope that they continue to carry themselves with honor, loyalty, and dedication. Based upon the few video snippets I've seen and heard, this could prove to be a most memorable season for them. My best wishes also go to and with all the young men and women, in all the groups, who continue to represent the activity in a way of which we all can be most proud.

Ahhhh. No Ghost, you haven't missed anything. Just decided that at the advanced age of 57, it was about time that I took the wise counsel of my dear departed Dad. "It is better for one to keep his mouth shut and let others think him a fool, than to open it and relieve all doubt." (which he dispensed equally with "Never p### into the wind" and "Never get into a p###ing match with a skunk.") Never too old for me to learn....

????????

Imitation remains to be the sincerest form of flattery.

There was also a Compensatory pick involved as well.

And I'm quite sure that you were the one solely responsible for convincing him to change his name and locale from Irving Schinkelhoffer (from Hoboken, New Jersey) to the far more fashionable (not to mention marketable) Dos Equis (from the Principality of Monaco).

A Priest is one thing. A Ghost is another. But a "Holy Ghost??" I think I'll reserve judgement on that...

Clear, succinct, and to the point. Very nice.

It brought to my mind the very first description of the Bassoon which I heard from my Elementary music teacher... The Burping Bedpost

Much to my greatest sadness, Ghost. But I do understand. However, I WILL be thinking of you, Sir -- and missing the great afternoon we shared. Won't be quite the same...

Rest assured, before you know it, those same Designers will be exclaiming "Sofa, so good!!" (Even if it's only the ones from the Boston area.)

It's a sad statement on our current society when one feels one must attach the concluding 4 word statement as a confirmation to others that the subject is indeed a "worthy" (in the closed minds of some) person. My issue is not with you, Kevin, but rather with the segment of current society which demands it..

You may very well be correct in your assessment. However, there is nothing wrong in trying. Personally, I believe in the dictum "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

I'm willilng to step forward in total argreement and support with you on this, Brasso.

Yet another reason why I, personally, find your posts to be so refreshing and eagerly anticipated.

Yeah...but you have to remember that I was a small town boy, from a small town rural school band. This was a whole new level of music for me (other than some stuff from our All-County and Area groups...of which I have no idea how I made the cut. I guess miracles DO happen..). I had grown up under a steady diet of things like Erickson's "Chaconne." Heck...for us, Richard Fote's "Niagara Overture" and Giovannini's "Overture In Bb" were major deals.

A whole of of nothing to do with anything...but Rocky Point Holiday was the very first piece of music I encountered as a college freshman music major in our School of Music's Wind Ensemble. I've loved the piece ever since.

Thank you all so very much for the historical perspective. I appreciate the research and scholarship involved in your undertaking, and I most assuredly can (and WILL) use these nuggets as "teachable moments" with my groups -- especially in relating the concert and marching genres for my kids. Thanks, all.

One cannot respect others if he (or she) cannot first respect themselves. What I am saying is this: Much as Ghost pointed out, a group of adolescents who truly believe that they are being respected and taken care for by their leadership will most likely walk through hell in a gasoline suit for them. Those who feel that they are there simply as a means for the glorification of the staff/leadership will most likely find themselves increasingly "mailing in" their performance. Not sure this answers the original question...but in my (admittedly weird) mind it (kinda') makes sense.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, DrumMan. It's relatively new to me as well. However, I too find it to be an incredible experience -- right up there with the Barber Adagio.

I'm sorry, Cadevilina...it must have escaped my notice. Please forgive my ignorance. I'm not on here with my former regularity.

(Original posting removed due to latent personal stupidity.)

Expectorant not included.

And why, pray tell, should it be any different for them than almost every other corps? While the Troopers are, in the minds of many, legendary, they aren't immune to a fickleness of fandom which most corps in this placement range have to go through from time to time. I love Troop...it was my first DC love, and remains so today. BUT...I'm also willing to defer to minds greater, far wiser, and more experienced than mine. I simply hope they kick everlasting butt in 2016.