READY OR NOT, HERE "IT" COMES!!!!!!!

Fourth week of summer band and first week of contests. A chance to shine or a chance to crash and burn. What do you think? The big part of the job is done - about 90% of the drill has been taught and learned (somewhat) and the music is (finally) starting to come together. Now comes the hard part - the nerve-wracking cleaning and shining of each part of the show. Changes in music, drill and more layering of responsibilities on each member (i.e. - footwork, etc) will now begin. The big question now is, are we up to the challenge? As I have said before, the staff can only give you the product it's up to you to sell it! We are fortunate enough to have a large band and a band of good, dependable kids supported by their parents, band boosters and their community. Most bands would kill for the kinid of suppport we get. Now it's time to step it up a notch and earning the respect we get from the community. Word is starting to filter in about how the other bands are doing - some good some bad. We'll know for sure Thursday night. But please don't wait for Thursday to start putting your game face on. Every minute of every rehearsal is important from here on out. Are you up to the challenge? Show the staff you are by moving quickly, learning quickly, keeping the talk to a minimum, and above all, being responsible for your part! Believe me when I tell you that you will soon forget the "pain" of practice - you will never forget the "pleasure" of performance - win, lose or draw!

WHEN YOU STRIVE TOWARDS A GOAL, WITH ALL THE PASSION AND INTENSITY YOU CAN MUSTER, YOU ARE GREAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME!

Daddy V

Clarinet Section Shot

2007 Summer Show

About the show. The POWER segment, the prominent color will be purple - the color of royalty. The PEOPLE section will feature the color white - the color of innocence. The CELEBRATION finale will use red - the color of festivity. Throughout all three segments, the color of gold (gold lame) will also be used as a unifying theme. Musically, the show will begin with "Coronation Scene" from the Russian opera "Boris Godonuy" by Romantic era Russian composer Nodesie Mussorgsky (1831-1891). Mussorgsky's opera is considered the masterpiece of Russian opera.

Pool Party

Congratulations to the new Captain Cannonical!!!

What do you think? Was moving the pool party to the Saturday rehearsal a good thing? bad thing?

New website

Welcome to the newly updated jcmarchingpatriots.com! Please be patient while we continue to add many new features!

What do you think? What other features would you like to see enhanced on this site?

WEEK TWO: THE FUN CONTINUES?

During the month of June and the first couple days of July, we have missed almost 3 days of summer band because of rain. In the middle of one of the driest summers in recent memory, we lose valuable practice time because of rain! At least the air-conditioning is back on in the band room - we can be thankful for that.

So far so good on the drill. I'm thinking that we have been through 25 charts and have 12 more to go. Whether it not we remember the drill tomorrow night remains to be seen. Much work still needs to be done on basic drill movement. Transfer from basics to the drill is still not happening.

Musically, much individual attention is needed. Translated - are you doing your part?

Some great views of weapons and flag work this week. Good job guard! Hopefully many "baby throwing" moments from the guard this summer especially from our new sabre section!

The Patriot newbies made their debut this week in the Portland 4th of July parade. All in all, the performance went well - not too hot not too cold - but, you guessed it, rain at the end of the parade! At least it was the end of the parade and most of us found some kind of shelter. On the positive side, with the exception of a trumpet w/ a knee injury and a saxophone player who was marching with another unit in the parade, the band members at practice on Tues. all marched on Wed. Parades are a pain in the buttocks! You know it and the staff knows it - but this is the only place your typical "popcorn eater" sees the band. Many bodies translates to a "wow" factor w/ these people so keep up the good work!

Forecast for the week - Hot on Monday (bring your water) but becoming cooler for T, W, Th and Saturday. Don't forget the Saturday practice before the Pennville parade. This practice traditionally sets the tone for the first week of contests so come ready to play hardball and eat a good breakfast! A predicted high of 77 degrees should help.

That's all for now! How do you think we're doing?
Talk to me, I'm Daddy V!

THE TEACHER BECOMES THE STUDENT

Below is a small part of a paper I submitted as part of a class on collaborative and cooperative teaching. Nothing to do with our task at hand but maybe some thought-provoking stuff!

Daddy V

Reflection Paper
Or
What I Did Over Summer Vacation

I’ve been teaching general music classes and band in elementary, middle school and high school settings for 30 years. To say I knew nothing about collaborative or cooperative instruction before this class would certainly not be the truth – I just never called it that! In the case of band class, the very nature of the class makes it both collaborative and cooperative. As I am quick to point out to administrators, schools get a lot of “bang for their buck” from band directors (and choir directors, for that matter). Consider this if you will. A typical middle school band for me will include 40 – 45 students. Each of these bands is automatically divided into 9 different small groups: flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, French horns, trombones, baritones, tubas, and percussion. Each small group (section) member is responsible for the “right notes” in their own section as well as having large group responsibilities to the band as a whole. Small group responsibilities break down even further when you consider, let’s say, a clarinet section of 10 members where two members are assigned to play from one music stand. This creates 5 more small groups within the small group within the larger group - the band. To further complicate matters, each instrument is played differently and in different clef signs and keys. In a math class, an instructor may write “2 + 2” on the board and the answer of “4” will be the same for each member of the class. In band, a “C” written on the treble clef staff is played differently by each treble instrument and would be confusing to bass clef instruments who don’t read treble clef notes. Teaching 9 different sections in band is very close to teaching 9 different subjects at the same time, all of which must reach a common goal (performance) together. As I stated before, by its very nature band (and choir) class is, in my opinion, the ultimate “large group-small group-collaborative-cooperative” learning environment.


Thoughts, comments, prayer requests?

WEEK ONE: THE AGONY AND THE ECSTACY?

Well guys, week one of "The Colors of Russia" is in the history books with several successes as well as disappointments.

Success #1 - We got through the first week with no major meltdowns. Music is being learned along with drill and guard work.
Success #2 - Guard flags and uniforms are being finished, new pit carts are almost finished, and uniform fittings are almost completed. Some of these things are normally not finished until the first contest week.
Success #3 - Some of our rookies are looking like veterans already! Nice job newbies - keep it up!
Success #4 - As I've stated on previous entries, I really enjoy the summer, working with our great staff and getting to work more up close and personal with the greatest kids in Jay County.

Disappointment #1 - The weather. The entire month of June - not a drop of rain. Marching band starts and so does the rain. Goodness knows we need the rain, but hey, there's 24 hours in the day and we just need 4 of them to be dry!!! Is that so much to ask!
Disappointment #2 - QUITTERS!!! I don't know how to say this nicely, but what's up with kids and parents who, by their signature, commit to be with us in the summer and then quit, never show up or come up with some kind of bogus medical excuse for not fulfilling their commitment. As you know, we need these commitments so we can write the drill and make plans for camp and band transportation. I am so sick and tired of all the work and time the staff puts into the show each year just to have parents and kids bail on the program and, yes, I blame the PARENTS as much if not more than the kids! Most of these parents don't even have the guts enough to deal with either their kids or the band staff. The kids either just don't show up or we get a note in our mailbox, a message on an answering machine, or a rumor from some other band kid. I know marching band isn't for everyone. It's hard, hot, frustrating work and some kids are just not up to the challenge. By why would you sign a "commitment to participate" form and then back out on your commitment and worse yet, why would you as a parent allow your kid to quit after you have signed the form also. A signature is a GUARANTEE! Short of major injury, sickness or death, it should be a no brainer!!!!! I don't like to see anyone decide not to be in summer band - I believe in this activity - but I respect a decision to not do summer band when that decision is made within the appropriate time frame. I have no respect for anyone who quits or anyone who allows their kid to quit once commitments have been made. And it's not just band kids. The guard has had a major exodus since try-outs. Out of the 35 girls selected, 27 remain! Incredible! 8 kids and parents with absolutely no respect for their commitment. I guess I should to be used to this - it's been going on for years - but I'm the eternal optimist and I keep hoping that this situation will improve.

That's a lot of time spent on losers, but I had to vent! Thanks! On the positive side, we have 164 kids who have shown up this week ready to work their butts off. I need to concentrate on you guys and let the quitters wallow in their own slough of laziness and morass of ambivalence.

If you have any answers to the "quitter" question, let me know. We need to get this figured out!

Have a great week-end!

Daddy "Frustrated" V

SUMMER BAND 2007 - DAY 1

Are ya ready for some marching band? Most of the Patriot Band showed they were by showing up for the first rehearsals of the summer. I say "most" because, as always, there are a few who said they would be there and were "no shows". If you know any of these kids, give 'em a call and a kick in the pants and tell 'em to get to practice! All three sectionals covered music, basics, and the first 3 charts of the drill. Speaking of which, the drill has some twists and turns that will be a challenge for us to learn but will also bring some new and fresh drill moves to the track.

It's always fun to welcome back old staff members for another summer. These former band members (and imports) work very hard for the love of the activity - not the money! My thanks to Jason Hart, Mark Garringer, Emilie Boyes-soon-to-be-Garringer, Sarah Ullom, Amy Grady, Cody Grady, and new staff members Samantha "Freebie" Freeman, Caitlin "Crash" Dunn and Becky "Opie" Hargraves. Remember - as a staff, we can create, instruct, correct, and critique but we can't march and play the show for you. You can do your part by practicing at home, making all the rehearsals, and supporting each other. Ask yourself:
"Do I want to live with the pain of regret from not doing my best? Or do I want to live with the pain of discipline and push myself through?"

Let's make this a great summer! Marching Patriots forever!

Daddy "I love the Summer" V
WHEN YOU STRIVE TOWARDS A GOAL, WITH ALL THE PASSION AND INTENSITY YOU CAN MUSTER, YOU ARE GREAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME!

MR. SMELTZER? STONED?

OUCH!!!!!!!

That's right, sports fans, and you heard it here first! Our own Mr. I. Kelly Smeltzer was stoned last Thursday - kidney stoned that is! If you know of anyone who has ever had a kidney stone, you know the kind of pain that this particluar condition can cause. For those of you who don't know, a kidney stone occurs when a small mineral/crystaline substance (usually calcium based) forms in the kidney and makes it's way down the ureter. Many people pass kidney stones without even knowing it, but if the stone is too big it basically scapes it's way down the ureter until it makes it to your bladder. During the "tour" of your ureter, you are in incredible pain. Having been the recipient of kidney stone pain when I was 32, I can attest to the fact that Mr. Smeltzer probably didn't enjoy the experience. For those of you who still don't get it, imagine someone grabbing your lower lip and pulling it up over your head! Or better yet, imagine someone trying to push your head through a garden hose! Treatment for a kidney stone includes a lot of pain medication and time. Larger stones have to be broken up with ultra-sound before they will pass. Prevention? Drink lots of water and don't let yourself get dehydrated!

To Mr. Smeltzer - hope things "come out" OK!

Daddy V