Palen Music Center Quick Note Monday, March 3, 2008   The PMC Quick Note is a weekly service provided to all area directors.  It is part of our mission to support the lives of band directors across the Midwest.  The weekly Quick Note contains helpful tips and suggestions from area directors, spotlights on area college and university band programs, calendars of upcoming events, advocacy articles promoting music education, links to helpful web resources, and much more.  Comments, suggestions, ideas, and articles are always welcome.   Looking for help on a particular topic? Be sure to check out our Quick Note Catalog of back issues.

---

Special on "Cutting The Changes" Jazz Improvisation Method Series

In a partnership with Kjos publishing, jazz artist Antonio Garcia, and Palen Music Center, we are offering a special on the Cutting The Changes jazz improvisation instructional books. Come into one of our six locations or ask your PMC road representative about the books and receive a 10% discount.

Cutting the Changes includes:

• A book with sheet music for improvisers struggling with standard tunes
• A Play-Along CD with superb rhythm section accompaniment
• A CD-ROM packed with theory instruction, listening examples, a discography for musicians who want to learn more, and printable accompaniment scores and parts for optional live rhythm section

For more information on the books, visit the Cutting The Changes page on the Kjos Publishing website.

---

1996 Marceline HS Graduate Now Assistant Drum Major of "The President's Own" Marine Band
Information from this article came from the Marine Band website.

Staff Sergeant Eric L. Yocom joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in November 2007 and is now the assistant drum major for the elite program. Staff Sgt. Yocom began his musical training at age 10. After graduating from Marceline R-V High School in 1996, he attended Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Mo., where he studied music education.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1998 and attended basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. After completion of the basic course at the Armed Forces School of Music (SOM) in Little Creek, Va., he received orders to Marine Band San Diego. In 2001 he received orders to III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa, Japan. He was sent to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, Calif., in 2002 and was deployed to Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2004 he served as a member of the Tactical Air Control Center security force for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. SSgt Yocom completed the Unit Leader course of instruction at the SOM and received orders to Marine Band San Diego, where he held several billets such as platoon sergeant, administration chief and drum major from May 2006 to November 2007.

As Assistant Drum Major for “The President’s Own,” SSgt Yocom leads the band in ceremonial commitments and, as the company gunnery sergeant, he is responsible for unit and new member training.

Palen Music Center would like to congratulate Staff Sargeant Yocom and salute him for his years of service with the Marines.

---

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.