Band Day...

has been canceled.

I'm sad, but it's not Mr. Bailey's fault.
Other band directors deemed it unwise to march on our field.

I personally saw nothing wrong with our field, but what do I know.

Just wanted to make sure people knew.

Cabot Invitational: Not a bad start!

The title says it all!
Not a bad start at all!
But we can do better, I know. You guys and girls have it in you.
You've seen other schools, and what they can do, now let's make ours 10x better!
(and I know, we're not supposed to compare our performance to other school's, but we have to have a basis for improvement, no?)

Listen, I'll be the first to admit, I didn't play at my best.
If we were going to make a metaphor out of the situation:
I shot for the stars, and landed among the black holes that viciously ripped apart my performance. I did tragically bad. Great poets will write of the destruction I wrought on the ears of those poor, innocent bystanders.


But, I know I can do better. You all know you can do better.
If I know what I can fix, I will do so much better the next chance I have!
Just think. If you fix one thing yourself, and others take it as their responsibility as well, we'll have a Division 1 band. No doubt.
Never think that you are perfect. That is the downfall of any organization.
If you start to think there is no way to get better, you're right there isn't.
You've instantly blockaded yourself a superior rating.
Leave yourself open for criticism and improvement and you'll soon get awfully close to perfect.

Math Breakdown:
Let's say for one moment that each marcher fixes 3 mistakes from their last performance.

3 x 50 = 150 mistakes fixed

Think about it.
Think about it.
Seriously, that's 150 things that wouldn't go wrong the next time.

That's a ton of things.
[ton of things is a unit of measure not yet endorsed by the The International System of Units, I'm working on it, as well as phrases like "a whole heap of quarters"]


We may have gotten a Division 2 this time, but we're going to blow away (no pun intended, or was it...) the judges next time.
We're heading for a Division 1, and there is no stopping us now.


Thanks for reading.

Great Night Guys!

Wow. What a night!


It's official, we've gotten all the drill on the field!

Now it's just time to clean the music and polish the drill.
Can you dig it?
I urge you to work on your music. We can march our hearts out, but if the music is terrible, it won't mean jack-diddly.

Remember, next Saturday is the Cabot Invitational and we don't want to suck it up when we are there (coughlastyearcough)...


Anyways, great job guys. Keep up the good progress.

I have History homework to do. Ugh.
Mrs. Evans if you ever read this, you're a great teacher but the homework is not good at all.

FREE SHEET MUSIC! O:

Need a break from your marching music?
(you shouldn't, but if you do...)

Might I suggest some of these sites to help you find some interesting music to play.


~http://www.8notes.com/
A great source for sheet music. With songs ranging from beginner to hard you're sure to find something fun to play. If not fun, then challenging.


~http://www.freesheetmusic.net/
I don't personally use this site, but it offers plenty of music for free. It seems to offer a very in depth selection of music to try.


~http://www.vgsmworld.com/
Probably my favorite sheet music source.
I love video games, and I love music. This website mixes the two.
Enjoy.


Be expecting shorter posts in the future.
Remember it's not the size of the post that matters, it's how awesome I am.
And don't worry. I'm awesome.

And so begins...

another chapter in the fantastic novel known as, "The Sylvan Hills High School Band".

I don't know about you guys but I'm excited.
Any upperclassmen reading this, you've been warned. You have some stiff competition.
I'm serious.
These freshmen are fierce.
They've really picked up on the basic concepts and are bound to give even the most seasoned marchers a run for their money.

In just two days they've picked up on things that it has taken some people 2 or 3 years to figure out. No offense to anyone that has been in band 2 or 3 years, but honestly it just takes a little motivation and we'll excel at competition.

I'd like to make this post a reference point for newer marchers.

Starting off with your Drill Captains;

Flutes - Natalie Kerr and Ashley Evans
Clarinets - Katherine Thompson and Cassie Travaille
Saxophones - Renata Shirlee
Trumpets (and Horn) - Sean Rast
Low Brass - Randraen Mobley
Percussion - Nick Dunn and Brandon Orender

These people are here to help you. Any questions you have, should be at directed at a Drill Captain or Officer. If they are unable to answer your question, ask at least 3 other band members . If they are unable to answer you question, and you've exhausted all other resources, ask Mr. Bailey.

Now, I've managed to scrounge up some guidelines that will hopefully simplify you're pre-marching band experience;

1. Most likely the most important thing, anything that the Drum Major/Officer/Mr. Bailey says goes. The downfall of many great bands is total, and utter disrespect for someone of a higher authority. Honestly, you think they'd be given such power if they didn't know what they were doing? If you really have a problem with what someone is asking you to do, discuss it with another Officer.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Go drink some water, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Read a book (knowing is half the battle), and then Practice some more.
That means;
- Practice your music (and at some point memorize it.)
- Practice your marching skills
- Practice having a good attitude. We don't want to deal with your teen angst.

3. Probably one of the most important guidelines, seriously. It may sound cheesy, but have a good attitude and outlook. The hard hitting truth is that, if you don't think you're going to do better you won't. You have to keep a smile at all times, unless your instruments embouchure dictates otherwise.
And you know who's awesome?
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Keep the "I'm awesome" attitude and you'll be just fine.


And I'd like to finish with a freshman checklist for every practice;

1. GOOD ATTITUDE. Told you, it's important.

2. Your instrument. It will be really hard to play your instrument, without your instrument.

3. Bring your music. It will be really hard to play your music, without your music. (Unless you've memorized your marching music, but even then bring it, we might change something.

4. Bring anything that you might need to properly play your instrument. This includes;

- Reeds, mouthpiece, etc.
- Valve oil, slide grease, etc.
- Anything else you can bring that might help!


That concludes my post for today.

And the winner is...

In this case Ashley Calabotta (please hit me if I spelled this wrong.)

Today was the final day of Color Guard and Drum Major tryouts.

Renata Shirlee, Chase Travaille, Ashley Calabotta, Sean Rast, and I (Christopher Queen) worked valiantly for 2 days perfecting the techniques necessary to grasp an understanding of the basic drum major concepts. Marching, vocal commands, and conducting were all scrutinized by two third-party judges, Mrs. Abbott and another musician who's name escapes me at the moment.

We began by giving our commands, then we proceeded into our conducting, which was followed by our salute, then a final round of questions.
Quite the daunting task no matter how prepared you are.

Though the scores were close, Ashley came out on top, and will be our Drum Major next year. Truly, a sight to behold, Ashley will put up with nothing and dole out commands like no one's business. Congratulations.

And I would like to congratulate everyone who stuck it out, and tried out.
It takes a lot of guts, and everyone who tried could've done a fine job as Drum Major.

Remember, it was a friendly competition and the best came out on top.
Grudges should not be held, and hopefully won't.

Goodnight.

...whoops. (with new and improved text!)

That's about the only word I can use to describe this dismal mistake on my part.

WHOOPS.


Anyways, back on track.

I realize, looking back at my last post, that I haven't edited this thing since last October. Trick or Treat?

In more recent news though, we have a concert tomorrow night!
I'm excited. Of course I get to play the accordion, and open up Jazz-a-ma-Tazz (the suggested spelling of "tazz" was "tizz"...) with a few words.
Not everyone gets the honor of playing such a beautiful instrument. People have been brought to tears by the accordion...I'm sure they have some where.

We'll be playing a nice mix of music, a fruit salad of notes if you will.
In true Sylvan Hills fashion we'll be playing music about a pirate/ship.
This time it's about Black Beard, the most notorious pirate on the high seas. Well, was the most notorious pirate on the high seas...until his head was lopped off by a rival ship commander.

The Lion King: Broadway Selections is on the list for tomorrow night as well!
Which begs the question, where is my Lion Suit Mr. Bailey? Hm? We can't have a proper Lion King Broadway show without acceptable costume! Although, if you listen to the last few measures of it, you'll here a little auxiliary noise. A creative choice by Mr. Bailey that I whole heartedly agree with! (though honestly, it's hilarious to listen too...)

And of course, we have the mandatory slow, yet challenging piece "A Quiet Music." My opinion may be biased because no one thinks to write music for the stunning contra-alto clarinet (we're people too!), but this song is truly beautiful when played as an entire band. Truly a piece to savor with the ears (do ears have taste-buds?)

Lastly, we come to the cream of the crop in our show, the song Declaration and Flourishes. Conducted by none other than our own Natalie Kerr, this song is a romp through the classical, semi-march style that will leave bass clarinet and contra-alto clarinet players craving more of it's low, hard-hitting tones. I for one would enjoy more pieces that include a bass clarinet solo, or two, or five. Mr. Bailey should really consult me before purchasing music.

The Jazz Band will be performing as well, but hey, I can't ruin all the surprises. Though I can say, the Sylvan Hills Jazz Band has a rockin' auxiliary percussion section (wink, wink.)

Some other band news, includes that of State Solo and Ensemble as well as The Festival of Winds.

Solo and Ensemble first though. Now, to put this into perspective: You have normal Region Solo and Ensemble where you have a piece prepared for a judge, who you will then play for, and receive a rating of 1 through 5. 1 being the best, 5 being an "Oh my gosh, why did you come?" Now imagine that, on a scale 10x bigger. That's State Solo and Ensemble. Each of the participants worked a little more on their prepared piece, and played it for a judge (with an audio accompaniment.) Please realize, this is STATE. Nothing is ever easy on the STATE LEVEL.
Having said that, everyone who participated received the best possible rating of a 1.
Let me say that again, EVERYONE GOT A 1.

Festival of Winds! Oh, Festival of Winds how you've come and gone so quickly.
I can tell you this though, it is some of the most fun I've had playing my instrument. Once again let me set the tone for this: You are given an application (much in the vain of a job application), you must fill this application out with your most outstanding musical achievements and merit (all-region, all-state, solo and ensemble). You then give the application to your band director who, will then confirm and add notes and comments to anything you've written. The applications are sent in, and young musicians are selected to play in the Festival.
The music was given to us about 2 weeks before the concert, and we were asked to practice and learn the music. It was our responsibility (oh, how I dread that word!)
We received some pretty off the wall pieces like Interruption Overture and MetaMarch, and some other slower, calm pieces like Bloom and Sleep.
The best part was the fact that the composer of three of our pieces (MetaMarch, Interruption Overture, and Bloom) was our guest conductor, none other than Steven Bryant.
He graciously accepted the job, and it was a joy to work with him on his own music.

Story time!
There once was a very handsome Contra-Alto Clarinet player who was excited to play in the Festival of Winds! He sat down eagerly, barely able to contain his excitement, when he pressed his High B key down, and to his dismay it was loose! What was he too do? They were about to go on stage! The handsome Contra-Alto player dashed through the auditorium looking for someone to help fix it! He ran to his band director who wanted to help, but his magical tools were in the his car, three blocks away, and it was raining (...). Just then, a magical giant from the Arkansas Wind Symphony said, "I know someone who could help!"
We ran to the chapel (don't ask) and to our dismay the magical instrument fixer-guy (names are hard to come up with) was nowhere to be seen! Just then, like an winged-seraphim descending from heaven, came the Bass Clarinet player for the Arkansas Wind Symphony (who earlier that day the Contra-Alto player had a sectional with!) said, "I have just the tool!" And in front the young mans eye's the Bass Clarinet player took out a magical screwdriver (there is a lot of magic at the Festival of Winds...) and fixed his Contra-Alto in a snap! "Thank you..." replied the lowly Contra-Alto. "No problem," said the Bass Clarinet, "Do you think you'll need this tool again?" The handsome young man pondered the question and replied with a stern "Yes!" The Bass Clarinet player then handed the tool to the young man who was ever grateful for the gift bestowed upon him. He ran back to the auditorium, overwhelmed with pride and joy. He then layed out some phat beats on his Contra-Alto, saved the Galaxy from Darth Vader, and slayed the dragon.
The End.

The moral of this story?
It pays off to be a handsome Contra-Alto Clarinet player...
PSH. No, I'm playing.
The real moral?
It pays to have connections to professional musicians.
That was serious.


Till' next time!