Mystikal Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 (edited) 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. Edited December 24, 2008 by Mystikal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouooga Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Looking at the schedule on the site, I'm curious how the whole Texas/California camps are going to work. Does everyone go to everything, or will everyone be getting ready in their respective locations and bring it all together in June? Thanks for the info, and good luck Mystikal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystikal Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeN Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Sounds like a good plan, and solid thinking. Good luck! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCorpsGuy Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 Very interesting... I noticed on the post that their clinic is taking place at PSJA Memorial HS...isn't that the same school Revolution just had a camp/audition at this past weekend? And, seeing that it looks like Mystikal has a lot of former Revo staff members leading them, it would appear as if there's heavy competiton to attract some of the same kids Revo is pushing for. Just an observation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystikal Posted December 24, 2008 Author Share Posted December 24, 2008 Very interesting...I noticed on the post that their clinic is taking place at PSJA Memorial HS...isn't that the same school Revolution just had a camp/audition at this past weekend? And, seeing that it looks like Mystikal has a lot of former Revo staff members leading them, it would appear as if there's heavy competiton to attract some of the same kids Revo is pushing for. Just an observation. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashhelmi36 Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 Wow, my old corps is expanding a ton! Go Mystikal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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