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DCI on ESPN2 TONIGHT!

Drum Corps International will air its world-championship telecast on ESPN2 on Tuesday, September 6th from 9:00pm-11:00pm Central time.  This is the first time that the DCI finals will be broadcast during prime-time on a commercial station.  “Drum Corps International wanted to bring its exceptional television program to as many people as possible, in prime-time, so that we can have a large audience watching the program simultaneously, regardless of where they live,” said Dan Acheson, executive director of Drum Corps International.

 

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District Audition Hints -- Prepare Those Scales by Keith Reuther

District auditions are just around the corner and directors can do many things to assist students in their preparation.  Begin work now on scales and it will help both your marching program and help prepare students for their upcoming auditions.  To best help prepare the students, try to incorporate the scales into your marching rehearsals when possible.  Scales are never a bad thing no matter how many pages you have yet to block!  Pick one or two scales a week and focus only on those scales.  Use concert pitch so that all instruments can play at the same time.  You end up hitting several scales that are not on the district cuts for some instruments but who cares!  The more scales they know the more music you can play proficiently during the year.  The state recommends a certain tempo (I believe quarter equals 88) but at this stage that is not as important as keeping the tempo steady, no matter what the tempo is.  Play through them either tongued or slurred with a full tone and later you can incorporate the "tongued up, slurred down" deal. Also, play the scales 2 octaves when possible.  Sometimes certain instruments will have to start in the 2nd measure if they only play a one octave scale.  If the students think that scales and tone are just as important as drag stepping and horn angles then amazing things will happen with their playing.

PMC would like to thank Keith for submitting this article on audition preparation.  He is the Director of Bands at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Missouri where he leads a very active, successful, and well-rounded band program.  Visit the Lebanon High School Band Website.

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Check Out The Groups To Perform At The MMEA Conference in January

The level of musicianship displayed by the student performers at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference is always a highlight.  Check out a complete list of performing groups for this January's convention.  The list is courtesy of the MMEA website.  See you in January!

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Coming Next Week

Drum Major Tips - Rusty Raymond from Missouri Southern State University will share some helpful hints for our student conductors.

Music Testing - Test your students for more accountability.....and do it in only minutes each week!

Web Links - We will spotlight several helpful websites.

NAPBIRT Info - Tips and suggestions from the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians

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Contact Your Local Palen Music Center

Can we assist you with anything?  Please contact your local Palen Music Center school road representative for all of your music education needs.

 

Springfield (417) 882-7000 Bob Hopkins and Mike Brown

Columbia (573) 256-5555 Robert Pitts

Moberly (660) 263-0109 Clint Thompson

Joplin (417) 781-3100 Wayne Blades

Liberty (816) 792-8301 Ken Crisp

St. Joseph (816) 232-4476 Ken Crisp

 

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