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Marching arts in decline?
Are the marching arts in decline? On April 2nd, DCI’s Cadets announced that they have filed for bankruptcy. 90 years of excellence could not save them from financial insolvency. The Cadets fall was hastened by the actions of their long time director, George Hopkins. There are stories online that you can read to get a…
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1985 Inaugural Band
I had the honor of participating in the 1985 Inaugural Band. The band consisted of students from around the country and was assembled for Ronald Reagan‘s 1985 inaugural celebration. Winter of 1984 I was in my second year of college at James Madison University (JMU). Marching band was one of my great loves. So, when…
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Teaching Sight reading
Teaching sight reading is an invaluable skill for band directors that can be learned. What follows is a systematic approach to improve your ensemble. Tone production If your tone production is poor then your sight reading ability will be irrelevant. Work on long tones and lip slurs every day. Matt Harloff‘s Inside the Circle warm…
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God wants you to rest
God wants you to rest. Before you keep reading, let that sink in for a minute. Right now you’re probably either in a hurry, or have been in a hurry. But, the one with infinite strength and power wants you to stop and rest. Starting point This post isn’t going to argue whether or not…
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TKA 2012 and family
The King’s Academy (TKA) 2012 marching season was a high point for my family. I had moved my young family to this Florida school in 2000. Now my kids were in their teen years and part of the band program. Mom and Dad Dad was a payroll supervisor at Fisher Body outside of Pittsburgh. That’s…
