Fun fact!
Liam (aka the amazing Trombone playing penguin) has gone to the effort of creating a Facebook group devoted to the amazingness of marching band.
Unsurprisingly, it is thus entitled 'MMB 4 LIFE'.
It's a closed group, so in order to be able to access the videos of past performances, photos of the band and such, add Liam Willis as a friend and he will then invite you into the group.
Alternately, if you're already a member, add any and all of your MMB friends, and then in the tradition of all spam chain emails compel them to do the same.
Finally, if you've only just accessed this blog for the first time having seen the link on the Facebook group, click the button on the right hand side of the page that says 'follow this blog'. And then follow the blog.
And as a quick addendum, remember to play a little in the holidays so that when the January training camp comes along next January (surprise, surprise) your lips won't get wrecked.
Enjoy the holidays, have a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year.
And practice.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
SSSSSPPPPPEEEEECCCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To start off with, I'd like to say Hi to the people visiting this blog having been prompted by the postcards we handed out en mass at spec. And also: join the band.
Tuesday dawned, with some of the band members having awoken before the sun so that they could make it to Cumberland High school in time. As it happened, the biennial Cumberland vs. James Ruse sports gala day was on, which meant that for our field rehearsals we had to abduct Carlingford West Public School's sports field. Not only that, but the hall was set up for an exam meaning that everyone got really cosy in the concert arcs we set up on the stage. After a cursory runthrough of our music and meeting the spec ring-ins, we headed off for our first field rehearsal.
After a couple of exceedingly sweaty hours, we retreated inside to start learning the finale dance - an activity which turned out to be remarkable fun, thanks to the ridiculous levels of enthusiasm shown by not only the drum majors but also the tenor drummers.
More outdoor rehearsals followed, with out ten hour day finishing at 6.00 pm, resulting in everyone going home rather exhausted.
On wednesday most people realised two things: firstly that they should have put on more sunscreen; secondly that they should have stretched before they went to bed, because lactic acid buildup is unpleasant. Regardless, we returned to Cumberland ready for another tough day. Whereas on Tuesday our drill was far from sound, on wednesday everything started coming together much to the relief of Lindsay. Wednesday also saw the beginning of a subset of the band learning the drill for 'Come Follow the Band'. Which meant high-stepping for the entirety of the song. Luckily, there wasn't much complex drill to learn, and thus we went back to the far more entertaining and enjoyable task of learning the finale dance. We were to be situated on the very edges of the stage, which meant that we would be the only people really visible from the audience... no pressure... but we learnt the dance (and as it turned out, we knew it better than some of the dancers, so snaps for us :) )
On wednesday most people, despite really greasing themselves up with sunscreen, still managed to sustain some sunburn, most notable Tom B, who although he put on sunblock quite regularly, including when we were indoors rehearsing (because you never know when the sun's going to burn a hole in the roof) still managed to get burnt.
Then came thursday. We started off with a couple of runthroughs of the fieldshow, followed by Come Follow the Band and the finale dance, and then it was onto one of the three buses chartered for us to get to the SEC. Much fun was had on the buses, including David K doing some memorable headbanging (as it turns out, the emo-esque fringe is well suited for it). Once at the entertainment centre we got out our instruments and proceeded to wait with incredible boredom for the Come Follow the Band rehearsal to begin. The first runthrough was... questionable, due to the fact that no-one was in time with anyone else, be they the Orchestra, the choir or us. That was soon rectified with the drumline being given earpieces allowing them to hear what was going on elsewhere and the second runthrough was quite good.
There was then some marvellously boring practices of getting onto the stage for the finale dance, which showed us just how bad some of the dancers were at staying in straight lines. It also taught us that sitting through a rollcall of all the school groups involved in the finale was as BORING AS ALL GETOUT!
But with that finished we had an afternoon rehearsal under the bridge overpass, which greatly delighted the general public, as apparently we're entertaining to watch.
During the course of thursday we had our first of numerous encounters with Kane and Ambo - the ABC3 presenters, on this occasion we gave them each one of the commemorative spec shirts. Thursday also saw the beginning of what I've decided to name 'The Great Recruitment Drive of 2010', in which we were tasked with going up to as many people as we could and convincing them to join band.
Thursday ended with our rehearsing the fieldshow and then making our way to our holding area at UTS.
Then came friday, our 15 hour marathon of performances. We arrived at 8.00, ready for a day jam-packed with marching related awesomeness.
First there was the dress rehearsal, in which we had the good fortune to see the outfits Lindsay and the drum majors would be wearing - Penguin Suits (figuratively). There was also the hilarity of Liam's ACTUAL penguin suit (which led to him being referred to as penguin boy by some primary school kids - although how they managed to recognise him when he wasn't wearing the suit is beyond me...) and then there was the preview performance, followed by an afternoon break (and recruitment time) and the night performance.
A notable incident stemming from the dress rehearsal was during the practice of the finale dance. Everyone who was in attendance thursday morning doubtlessly remembers the amazingness that was Shane dancing the finale. Not everyone was however of our opinion of his brilliance. Apparently, not only was Shane told off for not 'takign it seriously enough', but it was enquired of Lindsay whether he attended a Special Learing centre. Thus did we discover that enthusiasm is alright, as long as it didn't outshine the dancers. It's not our fault if we're an excited bunch. Anyway.
The preview matinée performance was memorable for the reaction of the Hip-Hop boys preceeding us in the show when they laid eyes on a Sousaphone for the first time. Their reaction went somewhat along the lines of 'OMIGOD BRO!! IS THAT A GIANT BONG??'
For the record: No. It is not a giant bong. This however didn't curb their delight every subsequent time they saw us.
Whilst hanging out in the parking lot before the finale dance, some members of the band were interviewed by ABC3 (because we're that awesome) ostensibly increasing our renown.
We returned to our holding area to the strains of I Want You Back and drum cadences, much to the enjoyment of the audience and the terror of the dancers who never ceased to be taken off guard not only by us coming to attention but also by the volume of the cadence (not to mention the arm length of the base-drummers, with David K causing some collateral damage).
It was at UTS that Normo was crowned 'Lord of the Dance'. Also at UTS, Dane had the idea of getting everyone who hadn't yet signed up for 2011 to do so, thus ensuring that everyone who was eligible for another year of band would be there. Then came free time, during which we joined the several thousand school kids around Market City and Darling Harbour. Drumline also had a drum party with the drumline from Yanko, convincing the majority of them to join band.
By the evening performance, everyone was somewhat tired, but we still managed to drag up our last few dregs of enthusiasm and pep for the performance.
During some of our inter-performance time on friday and saturday we also watched some marching band documentaries. Oh the sunburn.
On saturday, although by then rather tired we turned up for our last performances of the year, and in the case of most of our year twelves, their last performances ever with the band. Also on saturday, recruitment went into overdrive with masses of postcards being handed out left, right and centre in an attempt to get people to join.
We were also lucky enough to see some pirated footage of the fieldshow obligingly shot by en ex-band member (who in the interests if privacy shall remain unnamed).
Saturday evening saw the end of year pizza and farewell party, in which we said goodbye to 14 of the 17 year twelves; as well as our fantastic drum majors for the year: Megan, Chris and Normo (Malcolm). The drum majors for 2011 were also appointed: Scott, Zoe and Belinda.
Surprisingly energetic, despite the 50ish hours we'd already marched during the week, we went into the evening performance giving it everything. Just before the finale dance, ABC3 filmed some of the door 1 band members as one of their ads for the spec broadcast, thus ending our lovely relationship with the hosts of ABC3.
The finale dance was awesome, and we finally perfected the art of getting off the stage without anyone being trampled by rampaging dancers. With our performances finished, we marched back to UTS for the last time in 2010, packed up and were dismissed. Much hugging then ensued, what with the year 12s being finished, and everyone went home for some much needed sleep.
Another year, finished, and finished well. I hope to see you all next year at the january training camp, not to mention multitudes of new members. Until then, do yourselves a favour play loud and proud. Because it always helps to keep your lip in.
See you next year.
Tuesday dawned, with some of the band members having awoken before the sun so that they could make it to Cumberland High school in time. As it happened, the biennial Cumberland vs. James Ruse sports gala day was on, which meant that for our field rehearsals we had to abduct Carlingford West Public School's sports field. Not only that, but the hall was set up for an exam meaning that everyone got really cosy in the concert arcs we set up on the stage. After a cursory runthrough of our music and meeting the spec ring-ins, we headed off for our first field rehearsal.
After a couple of exceedingly sweaty hours, we retreated inside to start learning the finale dance - an activity which turned out to be remarkable fun, thanks to the ridiculous levels of enthusiasm shown by not only the drum majors but also the tenor drummers.
More outdoor rehearsals followed, with out ten hour day finishing at 6.00 pm, resulting in everyone going home rather exhausted.
On wednesday most people realised two things: firstly that they should have put on more sunscreen; secondly that they should have stretched before they went to bed, because lactic acid buildup is unpleasant. Regardless, we returned to Cumberland ready for another tough day. Whereas on Tuesday our drill was far from sound, on wednesday everything started coming together much to the relief of Lindsay. Wednesday also saw the beginning of a subset of the band learning the drill for 'Come Follow the Band'. Which meant high-stepping for the entirety of the song. Luckily, there wasn't much complex drill to learn, and thus we went back to the far more entertaining and enjoyable task of learning the finale dance. We were to be situated on the very edges of the stage, which meant that we would be the only people really visible from the audience... no pressure... but we learnt the dance (and as it turned out, we knew it better than some of the dancers, so snaps for us :) )
On wednesday most people, despite really greasing themselves up with sunscreen, still managed to sustain some sunburn, most notable Tom B, who although he put on sunblock quite regularly, including when we were indoors rehearsing (because you never know when the sun's going to burn a hole in the roof) still managed to get burnt.
Then came thursday. We started off with a couple of runthroughs of the fieldshow, followed by Come Follow the Band and the finale dance, and then it was onto one of the three buses chartered for us to get to the SEC. Much fun was had on the buses, including David K doing some memorable headbanging (as it turns out, the emo-esque fringe is well suited for it). Once at the entertainment centre we got out our instruments and proceeded to wait with incredible boredom for the Come Follow the Band rehearsal to begin. The first runthrough was... questionable, due to the fact that no-one was in time with anyone else, be they the Orchestra, the choir or us. That was soon rectified with the drumline being given earpieces allowing them to hear what was going on elsewhere and the second runthrough was quite good.
There was then some marvellously boring practices of getting onto the stage for the finale dance, which showed us just how bad some of the dancers were at staying in straight lines. It also taught us that sitting through a rollcall of all the school groups involved in the finale was as BORING AS ALL GETOUT!
But with that finished we had an afternoon rehearsal under the bridge overpass, which greatly delighted the general public, as apparently we're entertaining to watch.
During the course of thursday we had our first of numerous encounters with Kane and Ambo - the ABC3 presenters, on this occasion we gave them each one of the commemorative spec shirts. Thursday also saw the beginning of what I've decided to name 'The Great Recruitment Drive of 2010', in which we were tasked with going up to as many people as we could and convincing them to join band.
Thursday ended with our rehearsing the fieldshow and then making our way to our holding area at UTS.
Then came friday, our 15 hour marathon of performances. We arrived at 8.00, ready for a day jam-packed with marching related awesomeness.
First there was the dress rehearsal, in which we had the good fortune to see the outfits Lindsay and the drum majors would be wearing - Penguin Suits (figuratively). There was also the hilarity of Liam's ACTUAL penguin suit (which led to him being referred to as penguin boy by some primary school kids - although how they managed to recognise him when he wasn't wearing the suit is beyond me...) and then there was the preview performance, followed by an afternoon break (and recruitment time) and the night performance.
A notable incident stemming from the dress rehearsal was during the practice of the finale dance. Everyone who was in attendance thursday morning doubtlessly remembers the amazingness that was Shane dancing the finale. Not everyone was however of our opinion of his brilliance. Apparently, not only was Shane told off for not 'takign it seriously enough', but it was enquired of Lindsay whether he attended a Special Learing centre. Thus did we discover that enthusiasm is alright, as long as it didn't outshine the dancers. It's not our fault if we're an excited bunch. Anyway.
The preview matinée performance was memorable for the reaction of the Hip-Hop boys preceeding us in the show when they laid eyes on a Sousaphone for the first time. Their reaction went somewhat along the lines of 'OMIGOD BRO!! IS THAT A GIANT BONG??'
For the record: No. It is not a giant bong. This however didn't curb their delight every subsequent time they saw us.
Whilst hanging out in the parking lot before the finale dance, some members of the band were interviewed by ABC3 (because we're that awesome) ostensibly increasing our renown.
We returned to our holding area to the strains of I Want You Back and drum cadences, much to the enjoyment of the audience and the terror of the dancers who never ceased to be taken off guard not only by us coming to attention but also by the volume of the cadence (not to mention the arm length of the base-drummers, with David K causing some collateral damage).
It was at UTS that Normo was crowned 'Lord of the Dance'. Also at UTS, Dane had the idea of getting everyone who hadn't yet signed up for 2011 to do so, thus ensuring that everyone who was eligible for another year of band would be there. Then came free time, during which we joined the several thousand school kids around Market City and Darling Harbour. Drumline also had a drum party with the drumline from Yanko, convincing the majority of them to join band.
By the evening performance, everyone was somewhat tired, but we still managed to drag up our last few dregs of enthusiasm and pep for the performance.
During some of our inter-performance time on friday and saturday we also watched some marching band documentaries. Oh the sunburn.
On saturday, although by then rather tired we turned up for our last performances of the year, and in the case of most of our year twelves, their last performances ever with the band. Also on saturday, recruitment went into overdrive with masses of postcards being handed out left, right and centre in an attempt to get people to join.
We were also lucky enough to see some pirated footage of the fieldshow obligingly shot by en ex-band member (who in the interests if privacy shall remain unnamed).
Saturday evening saw the end of year pizza and farewell party, in which we said goodbye to 14 of the 17 year twelves; as well as our fantastic drum majors for the year: Megan, Chris and Normo (Malcolm). The drum majors for 2011 were also appointed: Scott, Zoe and Belinda.
Surprisingly energetic, despite the 50ish hours we'd already marched during the week, we went into the evening performance giving it everything. Just before the finale dance, ABC3 filmed some of the door 1 band members as one of their ads for the spec broadcast, thus ending our lovely relationship with the hosts of ABC3.
The finale dance was awesome, and we finally perfected the art of getting off the stage without anyone being trampled by rampaging dancers. With our performances finished, we marched back to UTS for the last time in 2010, packed up and were dismissed. Much hugging then ensued, what with the year 12s being finished, and everyone went home for some much needed sleep.
Another year, finished, and finished well. I hope to see you all next year at the january training camp, not to mention multitudes of new members. Until then, do yourselves a favour play loud and proud. Because it always helps to keep your lip in.
See you next year.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Hello Band Members!
I have a special request from Rachel McCracken and the Band Boosters, could you all please email your home addresses to mmbboosters@gmail.com, (this is the boosters email) so they can send some postcards for you to give to your friends who might be interested in joining us!
thankyouthankyouthankyou
cya all at spec!
I have a special request from Rachel McCracken and the Band Boosters, could you all please email your home addresses to mmbboosters@gmail.com, (this is the boosters email) so they can send some postcards for you to give to your friends who might be interested in joining us!
thankyouthankyouthankyou
cya all at spec!
Monday, October 25, 2010
The October Rehearsal
Saturday was humid and rather nasty, until it rained and was then damp and less nasty. Regardless of the fact that weather was so utterly not on our side, we soldiered on, beginning to learn the music for Adelieland and Boogie Wonderland; as well as a curious and complicated manoeuvre involving a never-ending conga line and the fact that according to Lindsay, a square is a circle with flat sides... or a circle is a square with curves... or both...
Regardless, Saturday set the foundations for the awesomeness that was Sunday.
Although the weather was inauspicious to say the least (it rained continually with varying strength of downpour), meaning that we couldn't actually practice on the field, we started with a live performance on ABC radio (link to follow), followed by sectionals in which we memorised as much of the music as we could.
There was also a memorably complex and downright confusing drill session in which we used a scaled down version of the Spec stage to work out a wheely-spinny-swirly piece of drill for Boogie Wonderland. It must be said, however, that we mastered it in far less time than Lindsay had thought it would take.
After lunch there was trivia organised by the Social group, which much to everyone's surprise, drumline won.
Following the trivia we saw some footage of the UW (University of Washington) marching band at football games provided by Katrina, having amassed the footage whilst on exchange.
Then the choreography began. Adelieland, as it turned out, is going to be a dancing extravagnaza. The learning of the choreography went off more or less without snags, with the exception of when the trumpets had to make their way to the front of the block in the space of no time whatsoever, prompting several entertaining rehearsal runs involving the trumpets sprinting from the back of the block to the front, skidding to a halt in front of the trombones, only to be told that they were late and for the whole thing to start again.
I here pass on Lindsay's request for us to practice the 'forward, right, left, right, back, right, step, step' thingy in preparation for next month.
And as always (possibly moreso than ususal) practice and MEMORISE your music, because if you don't know it by the time Spec comes around, it's already too late. I Wish will be arriving in your mailboxes some time soon.
Until then, play loud and proud.
Regardless, Saturday set the foundations for the awesomeness that was Sunday.
Although the weather was inauspicious to say the least (it rained continually with varying strength of downpour), meaning that we couldn't actually practice on the field, we started with a live performance on ABC radio (link to follow), followed by sectionals in which we memorised as much of the music as we could.
There was also a memorably complex and downright confusing drill session in which we used a scaled down version of the Spec stage to work out a wheely-spinny-swirly piece of drill for Boogie Wonderland. It must be said, however, that we mastered it in far less time than Lindsay had thought it would take.
After lunch there was trivia organised by the Social group, which much to everyone's surprise, drumline won.
Following the trivia we saw some footage of the UW (University of Washington) marching band at football games provided by Katrina, having amassed the footage whilst on exchange.
Then the choreography began. Adelieland, as it turned out, is going to be a dancing extravagnaza. The learning of the choreography went off more or less without snags, with the exception of when the trumpets had to make their way to the front of the block in the space of no time whatsoever, prompting several entertaining rehearsal runs involving the trumpets sprinting from the back of the block to the front, skidding to a halt in front of the trombones, only to be told that they were late and for the whole thing to start again.
I here pass on Lindsay's request for us to practice the 'forward, right, left, right, back, right, step, step' thingy in preparation for next month.
And as always (possibly moreso than ususal) practice and MEMORISE your music, because if you don't know it by the time Spec comes around, it's already too late. I Wish will be arriving in your mailboxes some time soon.
Until then, play loud and proud.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Olympics 10th Anniversary
Three words: That. Was. Awesome.
Great work.
Although our rehearsal (or musical walkthrough as it turned otu to be) resulted in questionable levels of success, we performed fantastically. The crowd loved us. As did the news cameras.
And now, we are free until the October rehearsal, at which point we'll be getting mad keen for spec.
Until the next...
Great work.
Although our rehearsal (or musical walkthrough as it turned otu to be) resulted in questionable levels of success, we performed fantastically. The crowd loved us. As did the news cameras.
And now, we are free until the October rehearsal, at which point we'll be getting mad keen for spec.
Until the next...
Monday, September 13, 2010
The September Rehearsal
THis post is dedicated to the memory of Shane's pants. They served him well and went out in a blaze of glory.
At the beginning of saturday's rehearsal, Lindsay unveiled the plaque the band won for our overwhelming awesomeness at the Lions Convention parade. This was closely followed by Lindsay commenting on the aesthetucs of Liam's knee following its surgery. Liam described it as 'tasty' much to the mild horror of his listeners.
Flip folders were distributed, shrunken music was also distributed and then torn into small enough pieces to insert in the flip folders. It was then off to sectionals followed by a rehearsal with the whole band.
It was then onto the field where the parents had marked out the walkway, ramp and stage we would be using on wednesday. At which point we practiced walking up the ramp safely and at the correct speed. For a very long time.
It was beginning to get a bit monotonous when Lindsay decided that at the end of Ode To Joy, the colourguard should throw their flags over the ramp to the colourguard members on the other side - an awesome piece of choreography when excuted right.
As colourguard practiced, the drumline decided to see if they could better them using their sticks. They couldn't, dropping them. This all went rather unoticed by the people at the front of the band until Shane's pants, as he was dropping to one knee to retrieve his stick, went in the blaze of glory described above.
Mild hilarity ensued.
The rest of the rehearsal then continued as it had been going before, as we got better and better at not falling off the imaginary ramp into the imaginary crowd.
In preparation for wednesday, remember to iron your cape, get your school release form signed by your principal, your permission note signed by your parents, and most importantly, GET KEEN!!!
This is going to be legend....
...dary. So play loud and proud on wednesday.
At the beginning of saturday's rehearsal, Lindsay unveiled the plaque the band won for our overwhelming awesomeness at the Lions Convention parade. This was closely followed by Lindsay commenting on the aesthetucs of Liam's knee following its surgery. Liam described it as 'tasty' much to the mild horror of his listeners.
Flip folders were distributed, shrunken music was also distributed and then torn into small enough pieces to insert in the flip folders. It was then off to sectionals followed by a rehearsal with the whole band.
It was then onto the field where the parents had marked out the walkway, ramp and stage we would be using on wednesday. At which point we practiced walking up the ramp safely and at the correct speed. For a very long time.
It was beginning to get a bit monotonous when Lindsay decided that at the end of Ode To Joy, the colourguard should throw their flags over the ramp to the colourguard members on the other side - an awesome piece of choreography when excuted right.
As colourguard practiced, the drumline decided to see if they could better them using their sticks. They couldn't, dropping them. This all went rather unoticed by the people at the front of the band until Shane's pants, as he was dropping to one knee to retrieve his stick, went in the blaze of glory described above.
Mild hilarity ensued.
The rest of the rehearsal then continued as it had been going before, as we got better and better at not falling off the imaginary ramp into the imaginary crowd.
In preparation for wednesday, remember to iron your cape, get your school release form signed by your principal, your permission note signed by your parents, and most importantly, GET KEEN!!!
This is going to be legend....
...dary. So play loud and proud on wednesday.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Leadup to the Septembember Rehearsal
Floating the nether-regions of the aether known as your inbox is an email directing you to the band website so that you can download the permission forms for this saturday's rehearsal adn then return them before the due date of thursday.
So go forth, and return your forms.
Get keen, kids.
And don't forget to practice your music with much vigour... dare I say it: loudly and with pride.
Until saturday...
So go forth, and return your forms.
Get keen, kids.
And don't forget to practice your music with much vigour... dare I say it: loudly and with pride.
Until saturday...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The August Rehearsal
Election day brought the band (and numerous people of voting age) to Cumberland High School. The former for an intense day of sightreading and other fun stuff, the latter in order to vote.
After starting the day with a less than subtle hint as to who Lindsay voted for (if you can't guess, he likes rangas), we were handed our music packs and we jumped right into it, with much success.
The first run-through went so well that we were judged competent enough to be trusted to go off to sectionals for an hour to become even more competent. Following that, we were ushered into a drama room where we were told the story of the band's formation, and the hardships it's founding members had to endure. We also heard the story of how Dane hug-attacked Tina Arena.
Following lunch, there was another rehearsal all together, during which some of the pieces were recorded to use as rehearsal aids. Links to them will be up as soon as they come to hand.
Before the next rehearsal, remember to practice hard, memorise as much as you can and GET A LYRE. Otherwise Lindsay will be unimpressed.
The next rehearsal will be September 11. Until then, play loud and proud.
After starting the day with a less than subtle hint as to who Lindsay voted for (if you can't guess, he likes rangas), we were handed our music packs and we jumped right into it, with much success.
The first run-through went so well that we were judged competent enough to be trusted to go off to sectionals for an hour to become even more competent. Following that, we were ushered into a drama room where we were told the story of the band's formation, and the hardships it's founding members had to endure. We also heard the story of how Dane hug-attacked Tina Arena.
Following lunch, there was another rehearsal all together, during which some of the pieces were recorded to use as rehearsal aids. Links to them will be up as soon as they come to hand.
Before the next rehearsal, remember to practice hard, memorise as much as you can and GET A LYRE. Otherwise Lindsay will be unimpressed.
The next rehearsal will be September 11. Until then, play loud and proud.
Monday, August 16, 2010
News and Information
Currently floating around your inbox is an important email which contains a lot of information about the band’s future activities.
Please note that this weekend's rehearsal is ONLY on Saturday.
Remember to bring donations to the band's cake stall, along with lists of ingredients.
More information regarding the Olympics anniversary will be posted as it comes to hand.
Please note that this weekend's rehearsal is ONLY on Saturday.
Remember to bring donations to the band's cake stall, along with lists of ingredients.
More information regarding the Olympics anniversary will be posted as it comes to hand.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Motown Show
Dane has been searching the wonderful world of the internet for recordings of the songs we need to play for the Motown show, and he has found files for you to download and listen to.
I Want You Back, Respect, and Aint No Mountain can be accessed by clicking the hyperlinks. There isn't as yet a file for Papa Was A Rolling Stone available.
Practice hard.
I Want You Back, Respect, and Aint No Mountain can be accessed by clicking the hyperlinks. There isn't as yet a file for Papa Was A Rolling Stone available.
Practice hard.
Attendance
The following is a list of students who have shown their commitment to the band with 100% attendance at rehearsals between February and July 2010.
This list has been compiled by the Attendance monitors.
Ashleigh C
Cassandra J
David K
Timothy K
Nicole L
Tom M
Hayley S
Michael V
Leanne W
Kirstin Z
Liam W (1 absence)
Christine B
Zac C
Stephen C
Ben G (Sax)
Michaela G
Adela G
Jacob G
Jake F
Daniel R
Katherine W
Next time: which section has the best attendance
This list has been compiled by the Attendance monitors.
Ashleigh C
Cassandra J
David K
Timothy K
Nicole L
Tom M
Hayley S
Michael V
Leanne W
Kirstin Z
Liam W (1 absence)
Christine B
Zac C
Stephen C
Ben G (Sax)
Michaela G
Adela G
Jacob G
Jake F
Daniel R
Katherine W
Next time: which section has the best attendance
Sydney Olympic Games Anniversary
Currently in your email inboxes will be the availability form for Millennium's involvement in the extravaganza the state government is planning.
Please fill them out and return them to the Arts Unit by tomorrow (Wednesday 11 August).
Remember to keep wearing your wristbands.
Please fill them out and return them to the Arts Unit by tomorrow (Wednesday 11 August).
Remember to keep wearing your wristbands.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The July Rehearsal
This month's rehearsal started colourfully with the theme on Saturday being rainbow. After warming up with games such as 3-way soccer, Human chains and aqueducts and canals, we began running through the drill books.
I Want You Back went off without any major incidents, whereas we performed Respect in a somewhat more...creative manner.
Lindsay was not going to stand for any such shenanigans, and so we spent the rest of the day memorising book I of drill.
After another colourful attempt at our drill book, Lindsay and Dane decided that we should move off into sectionals and practice our music for yet another attempt to complete part I of our endless drill book.
The mildly dreaded memorisation test took place, and wasn't as horrible as had been expected. The best representatives of each section were sent to the front of the field and each person in the lineup played a bar or so before the drum majors moved onto the next person. If anyone made a mistake, their entire section had to do ten pushups.
In the afternoon, the student executive groups met in order to further their work; and while that happened, the rest of the band had a drilldown on the field.
Following that, there was a full band rehearsal in the hall, which was later joined by the colourguard as it became dark outside and they could no longer see what they were practicing.
At 5.30, the rehearsal for the day had finished, but the fun was only just beginning, as there was still movie night to come. As everything was set up, Dane put the colourguard practice DVD on the projector.
It consisted of a middle aged American man performing the routines with far more enthusiasm than was healthy. The sheer extent to which it looked like he loved his job of demonstrating colourguard routines was worrying. His happiness levels were somewhat scary. His smile was disconcerting... It gave us an understanding of what colourguard have to go through every time they practice.
With the arrival of the pizza, we all ate on the floor of the hall as various people plugged their ipods into the speaker system, providing music.
Before the movie started, there was the parade and judging of all the people who had dressed in rainbow. Dane and his Lurid poncho were unfortunately barred from competition, but the array of band members was still impressive. Jacob won the dress ups by turning up to band wearing no less than eight shirts, carefully ordered so that when he removed them to the tune of stripper music, he was wearing them in the order of the rainbow. Lockie (apologies if you prefer Lachie, when abbreviating it's hard to tell) who wore his sister's fluorescent pink skinny jeans and Jake in a reggae shirt received honourable mentions.
The movie we watched was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and despite some issues with the DVD player, a great time was had by all.
We returned on sunday to find that the weather was actually rather nice in the fact that the sun was making appearances.
After a slightly late start we marched to the field for a massive sectional relay. During the course of said relay, we got to observe the interesting manner in which some band members do sit-ups. Flailing abounded. Following some poisonball, we got our instruments and started to play through the second drill book, with mixed results.
The rest of the day was spent first practicing Papa was a Rolling Stone and Aint No Mountain and then practicing the whole show in order. Lindsay was able to tell us that we were of a standard in which he would have no objections with us performing, and mentioned that there was the possibility of us performing the show twice next month at football matches.
Just before dismissal, everyone in attendance was given Play Your Part wristbands to remind them of their ongoing commitment to the band.
We worked hard this month, and it paid off in the form of our being able to perform the field show top to bottom without issue. Remember to wear your wristband all month and until next rehearsal, play your part loud and proud.
I Want You Back went off without any major incidents, whereas we performed Respect in a somewhat more...creative manner.
Lindsay was not going to stand for any such shenanigans, and so we spent the rest of the day memorising book I of drill.
After another colourful attempt at our drill book, Lindsay and Dane decided that we should move off into sectionals and practice our music for yet another attempt to complete part I of our endless drill book.
The mildly dreaded memorisation test took place, and wasn't as horrible as had been expected. The best representatives of each section were sent to the front of the field and each person in the lineup played a bar or so before the drum majors moved onto the next person. If anyone made a mistake, their entire section had to do ten pushups.
In the afternoon, the student executive groups met in order to further their work; and while that happened, the rest of the band had a drilldown on the field.
Following that, there was a full band rehearsal in the hall, which was later joined by the colourguard as it became dark outside and they could no longer see what they were practicing.
At 5.30, the rehearsal for the day had finished, but the fun was only just beginning, as there was still movie night to come. As everything was set up, Dane put the colourguard practice DVD on the projector.
It consisted of a middle aged American man performing the routines with far more enthusiasm than was healthy. The sheer extent to which it looked like he loved his job of demonstrating colourguard routines was worrying. His happiness levels were somewhat scary. His smile was disconcerting... It gave us an understanding of what colourguard have to go through every time they practice.
With the arrival of the pizza, we all ate on the floor of the hall as various people plugged their ipods into the speaker system, providing music.
Before the movie started, there was the parade and judging of all the people who had dressed in rainbow. Dane and his Lurid poncho were unfortunately barred from competition, but the array of band members was still impressive. Jacob won the dress ups by turning up to band wearing no less than eight shirts, carefully ordered so that when he removed them to the tune of stripper music, he was wearing them in the order of the rainbow. Lockie (apologies if you prefer Lachie, when abbreviating it's hard to tell) who wore his sister's fluorescent pink skinny jeans and Jake in a reggae shirt received honourable mentions.
The movie we watched was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and despite some issues with the DVD player, a great time was had by all.
We returned on sunday to find that the weather was actually rather nice in the fact that the sun was making appearances.
After a slightly late start we marched to the field for a massive sectional relay. During the course of said relay, we got to observe the interesting manner in which some band members do sit-ups. Flailing abounded. Following some poisonball, we got our instruments and started to play through the second drill book, with mixed results.
The rest of the day was spent first practicing Papa was a Rolling Stone and Aint No Mountain and then practicing the whole show in order. Lindsay was able to tell us that we were of a standard in which he would have no objections with us performing, and mentioned that there was the possibility of us performing the show twice next month at football matches.
Just before dismissal, everyone in attendance was given Play Your Part wristbands to remind them of their ongoing commitment to the band.
We worked hard this month, and it paid off in the form of our being able to perform the field show top to bottom without issue. Remember to wear your wristband all month and until next rehearsal, play your part loud and proud.
Friday, July 2, 2010
93rd Annual Lions Convention Parade
Once again braving the intense cold, the band assembled at Hyde Park on Tuesday, ready for a day of marching and missing school.
The truck was somewhat delayed, which gave the State Music Camp time to arrive.
When the truck eventually arrived, and with it the large instruments, there was a frenzy of unpacking, setting up, repacking and cape pinning; at the end of which we were all ready to start marching.
As it turned out, we still had a while to wait, so the boosters went around distributing red frogs to keep us perky. During this time, some last minute memorisation took place, along with warming up instruments.
Soon we moved onto a grassy area where other bands were also assembled, and it was there that we formed up a parade block. Due to absences, both Drumline and the Sousaphones were condensed in order to fill in the empty spaces.
Whilst waiting for our turn, Hunter School of Performing Arts, standing next to us, decided to run through one of their pieces - 'I Want You Back', played at a much faster clip than us.
Eventually, we were slotted into the parade, and avoiding the somewhat unexpected piles of horse dung, we marched off, playing a continual loop of 'I Want You Back' and 'Respect' interspersed with drum cadences.
It was during perhaps the fourth or fifth cadence that David Keevers managed to completely snap one of his sticks, much to the amazement of some and amusement of others.
The parade was somewhat stop-start due to the judging, but overall, the first pass went well.
At the end of the pass, we were taken back to Hyde Park by bus, with half the band sharing a bus with a pipe band, and the rest of the band getting on an asthmatic old bus on loan from the Sydney Bus and Rail museum. Getting the Sousas, as well as the Tenor and Bass drums onto the bus was less of a challenge than expected, and we were soon back at the assembly area for our second pass.
As we waited, the boosters provided food and water to keep us going for the second pass, for which we thank them.
On our second pass, again avoiding the horse dung, we played 'I Am Australian' and 'For Crown and Country', and no sticks were broken. At one of our stints marking time as we waited for the parade to start moving again, a woman with a proffessional looking camera started filming first Tom McCracken's hands as he played the cadence, and then his feet. Apparently, feet marking time makes for interesting viewing.
The second pass finished and we walked to the truck, where a frenzy of unpacking, repacking, removing of capes, and hurried leaving of State Music Camp people took place. Following the conclusion of that, we were dismissed by Lindsay to go about on our merry ways.
The parade was a great success, and the crowd (or at least the Cumberland High School contingent) seemed to like us.
Until next time, play loud and proud.
The truck was somewhat delayed, which gave the State Music Camp time to arrive.
When the truck eventually arrived, and with it the large instruments, there was a frenzy of unpacking, setting up, repacking and cape pinning; at the end of which we were all ready to start marching.
As it turned out, we still had a while to wait, so the boosters went around distributing red frogs to keep us perky. During this time, some last minute memorisation took place, along with warming up instruments.
Soon we moved onto a grassy area where other bands were also assembled, and it was there that we formed up a parade block. Due to absences, both Drumline and the Sousaphones were condensed in order to fill in the empty spaces.
Whilst waiting for our turn, Hunter School of Performing Arts, standing next to us, decided to run through one of their pieces - 'I Want You Back', played at a much faster clip than us.
Eventually, we were slotted into the parade, and avoiding the somewhat unexpected piles of horse dung, we marched off, playing a continual loop of 'I Want You Back' and 'Respect' interspersed with drum cadences.
It was during perhaps the fourth or fifth cadence that David Keevers managed to completely snap one of his sticks, much to the amazement of some and amusement of others.
The parade was somewhat stop-start due to the judging, but overall, the first pass went well.
At the end of the pass, we were taken back to Hyde Park by bus, with half the band sharing a bus with a pipe band, and the rest of the band getting on an asthmatic old bus on loan from the Sydney Bus and Rail museum. Getting the Sousas, as well as the Tenor and Bass drums onto the bus was less of a challenge than expected, and we were soon back at the assembly area for our second pass.
As we waited, the boosters provided food and water to keep us going for the second pass, for which we thank them.
On our second pass, again avoiding the horse dung, we played 'I Am Australian' and 'For Crown and Country', and no sticks were broken. At one of our stints marking time as we waited for the parade to start moving again, a woman with a proffessional looking camera started filming first Tom McCracken's hands as he played the cadence, and then his feet. Apparently, feet marking time makes for interesting viewing.
The second pass finished and we walked to the truck, where a frenzy of unpacking, repacking, removing of capes, and hurried leaving of State Music Camp people took place. Following the conclusion of that, we were dismissed by Lindsay to go about on our merry ways.
The parade was a great success, and the crowd (or at least the Cumberland High School contingent) seemed to like us.
Until next time, play loud and proud.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The June Rehearsal
The June rehearsal kicked off in the freezing cold.
The temperature didn't however dampen our enthusiasm as we revised the drills learned in May, as well as going on a practice march around the school as preparation for Tuesday's march in the city.
After lunch, the student executive groups met for the first time to go over their tasks and purposes. Those band members who weren't in a committee went down to the field to go over fundamentals... or as Chris refers to them: FUNdamentals. At around that time, the sun finally came out, in time for there to be warmth coming from the sky during the final practice of the day.
Sunday began similarly, if warmer. After making letters with different numbers of people, we formed up a parade block so that we could be tested on our grasp of fundamentals. Each time anyone made a mistake, they were out of the running. In the middle of Ultimate Parade Block, there was a set of 'Left face. Right face. About face. About face. Left face. Left face.', which proved a struggle for those with larger instruments, especially the one remaining bass drummer.
Following the end of the fun and games, we started going over the beginning of the second drill book, with questionable results.
We had sectionals, followed by more practice for Tuesday. After lunch, there was a detailed and intense rehearsal of the field show sets, which have now all been learned.
At the end of the rehearsal, the social events team announced the theme for next month's rehearsal - Rainbow.
It was a fun weekend, the next rehearsal will be the 24th and 25th of July - the first week of term.
Until then, play loud and proud.
The temperature didn't however dampen our enthusiasm as we revised the drills learned in May, as well as going on a practice march around the school as preparation for Tuesday's march in the city.
After lunch, the student executive groups met for the first time to go over their tasks and purposes. Those band members who weren't in a committee went down to the field to go over fundamentals... or as Chris refers to them: FUNdamentals. At around that time, the sun finally came out, in time for there to be warmth coming from the sky during the final practice of the day.
Sunday began similarly, if warmer. After making letters with different numbers of people, we formed up a parade block so that we could be tested on our grasp of fundamentals. Each time anyone made a mistake, they were out of the running. In the middle of Ultimate Parade Block, there was a set of 'Left face. Right face. About face. About face. Left face. Left face.', which proved a struggle for those with larger instruments, especially the one remaining bass drummer.
Following the end of the fun and games, we started going over the beginning of the second drill book, with questionable results.
We had sectionals, followed by more practice for Tuesday. After lunch, there was a detailed and intense rehearsal of the field show sets, which have now all been learned.
At the end of the rehearsal, the social events team announced the theme for next month's rehearsal - Rainbow.
It was a fun weekend, the next rehearsal will be the 24th and 25th of July - the first week of term.
Until then, play loud and proud.
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