Road To Band Camp, Part 1

I apologize for the lack of updates recently, and will be updating this blog much more frequently in the future.

Although I wasn't excited at the idea of three hours of band initially, my opinion greatly changed as we began our sectionals and learned a great deal of music.

Today's practice wasn't much different from the others schedule-wise; however, that didn't stop the band from being incredibly productive. Our basics block was particularly challenging - after a quick jog and a lesson in forward marching (focused on posture), the ban

d reviewed backwards marching. We steadily increased our speed until we could march 8-counts at 180 beats per minute, the tempo of our opener (for perspective, that's three beats per second).

The breathing/warm-ups period was also quite intense, though it was still a relief from the intensity of the marching. After around half an hour, we split into sectionals (Woodwinds, High Brass, and Low Brass). We received and dug deep into Part 3, the closer, and I now can say I feel very confident with all the music in the show.

Our ensemble period, while somewhat short, showed that the entire band really is capable of another Championship win. However, we have a lot of work to do before band camp, which is approximately three weeks away, namely, memorize all three pieces of music. The band staff has informed us that the drill for the first piece of music is complete, so we really are closing in on the upcoming season.

Image credit: ILC (here).

Morale Improves

Despite only being the second practice of the season, coupled with the fact that it took place during finals, this Monday's practice was better than expected.

After the usual "welcome" message, we dived right into the basics block, where everyone, including the returning members, was harshly judged on their posture. We practiced extensively with the first step of forward marching, which seriously helped the newcomers, and reminded me of some tips I had forgotten since Championships.

Once basics was over, we went inside to hide from the heat, going straight into warm-ups. We then split into sectionals for nearly an hour, where we worked extensively on the opener of "The Machines". I can't speak for the other sections, but the clarinet section made some major improvements.

At eight thirty, with just a half an hour to go before practice ended, the entire wind section gathered for an ensemble, where we practiced the end of the opener. Once we had sufficiently practiced with the new, faster tempo (apparently, the actual tempo is much faster, at 180 beats per minute), we played through the entire opener. This showed me, among other things, that "The Machines" is a truly intense show.

Our next practice is scheduled 6-9, next Monday. However, hopefully by the end of the week, I hope to be able to upload the opener of "The Machines" (not us playing, but the official recording) onto this blog.

2009 Marching Band Begins The Season

It's finally started - with new and returning members combined again, we have begun work on our marching, and our show, The Machines.

Practice started different than usual - three "stations" were set up in the band parking lot - a backwards marching station with Eric, a sliding station with Miss Milley, and a forward marching/marking time station with our new woodwind instructor, Alyssa.

After that, we did some of our new warm-ups with the entire band before splitting into woodwind and brass sections. Both sections dove deep into the opener (the only piece we currently have), and when we put it together, it's intensity definitely rivalled that of The Rise of The Samurai Warrior, our show last year.

Stay tuned for more updates on all of our practices, football games, and competitions!

You may have noticed the color changes to the blog - they are not final, but I would like new colors to reflect our new show.

And The Show Is... "The Machine"!

The "season kick-off" meeting that the entire Warwick Marching Band had been anticipating for so long finally hit us, and brought with it some exciting news.

This year's show is entitled "The Machine". And although the season just started, we've already received a good deal of information about the show. There will be a heavy focus on the visuals, with the color guard starting off in a bland, gray costume, and being covered in assorted "wreckage" (things like screws, bolts, and wires - which will also appear on certain band members), but will transform within "the machine" (which will be placed somewhere on the field, along with other large structures that need to be built) to a brighter, purple costume.

We got to listen to the entire show, and although we will be making some changes, it is quite intense, and will definitely rival last season's show, "The Rise of The Samurai Warrior".

The wind section has already received the opener music, and we will begin practicing in order to give 100% this upcoming season.

The band also received the entire season schedule. Seen below are the dates for our competitions and football games (practice schedule will be posted shortly).

Friday (9/4/09) - Football Game Away at Garden Spot HS

Friday (9/11/09) - Football Game Home VS. Conestoga Valley HS

Monday (9/14/09) - Band Parent Meeting

Friday (9/18/09) - Football Game Home VS. Ephrata HS

Saturday (9/19/09) - Competition at Hempfield HS

Friday (9/25/09) - Football Game Away at Cedar Crest HS

Saturday (9/26/09) - Competition at Manheim Township HS

Friday (10/2/09) - Football Game Home VS. Manheim Township HS

Saturday (10/3/09) - Off Weekend

Monday (10/5/09) - Band Parent Meeting

Friday (10/9/09) - Football Game Away at Reading HS

Saturday (10/10/09) - Competition at Warwick HS (home show)

Friday (10/16/09) - Football Game Home VS. McCaskey HS (Warwick Homecoming)

Saturday (10/17/09) - Off Weekend

Friday (10/23/09) - Football Game Away at Penn Manor

Saturday (10/24/09) - Competition at Upper Perkiomen HS

Monday (10/26/09) - Lititz Halloween Parade

Friday (10/30/09) - Football Game Home VS. Hempfield HS

Saturday (10/31/09) - Competition at Manheim Central HS

Friday (11/6/09) - Football Game Away at Wilson HS

Saturday (11/7/09) - Competition at Red Lion HS

Monday (11/9/09) - Band Parent Meeting

Saturday-Sunday (11/14-15/09) - Cavalcade of Bands Championships at Hershey Stadium

And there you have it! We've got quite a long season ahead of us, so we'll need all the practice we can get to perform... "THE MACHINE!"