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Last Revised March 8, 2010
Posted March 8 2010 Uh-Oh Lanceros, It seems my typing/proof reading skills have deserted me. The "Duck" suddenly became the "Dock," or the "Deck," or something akin to that. This spelling error was more egregious than having three beats in a measure of 4/4 time! The concept of "political correctness" is threatening to shoot down the "Duck," which many of you know got its name because I wrote some of it while in Duck, NC. Perhaps I'd have been better of if I'd written the solo in Durham, NC, where the baseball teams is known as the Bulls! The worst I could have done with that would have been the "Bills." Or not. Maybe I should have written the solo while in Asheville, NC. Too dangerous that one. Chapel Hill? Nope. From now on, all solos will be written here in York. Names might be "The Rose," or "The Yorker," or maybe "The Revolution." I think that those all sound pretty weak for the name of a drum solo, though. I have this thought that no other corps plays a solo called "The Duck." So, for better spelling or worse, I guess the "Snow Duck" may fly on, despite all the perils associated therewith. One final thought: I could name solos after members of our drum line. I think that "The Reck" has a nice ring. That solo would come color coded, of course. Or we could have "Rick is Right," but maybe have to play just on one hand, and it wouldn't be the left. Come to think of it, we tried that one hand stuff and had to remove that portion of the solo. I could have a solo called "The Wise," in honor of Ian, and maybe other drummers would think us more sagacious than we really are. I recall once writing a solo for Dar to play; it was called "Dar's Delicatessen." You should try to sink your teeth into that one. I might even write one for the new snares, Kyler, Allen, and Ryan, who all play with great celerity. Maybe it would be called, "Drummers Gone Wild." I hope I didn't offend anyone by not mentioning his or her by name. A few more eponymous suggestions: "The Colonel (not Bogey) March;" the "Rupp a Tupp Tupp." The "High Mom, my Name is Jason," solo, which would feature guys playing in just their underwear while speaking in a strange voice. Maybe something with a bunch of rolls called "The Three Kemps!" I hate to add this one, but how about "Legend of the One Eyed Drummer!" In honor of Kenny, we could have the "White Sticks, Red Stripes" Solo. Or one named after a President, "The Wilson." And a solo called "The Randy Dandy" would cover several of our members. For our college students, something to honor all of them, "Higher Yearning." A solo with a lot of time signature changes might be "The Accountant." And we'd have to have one called "The Lead Zepp!" Birnie is already copying drum parts, and what he writes is easy to read, so for Birnie, "Legible Licks." There might be one that was so tough that it would steal one's heart away, and also be played while the drummers were blindfolded. It would be called Rob&Hood Solo. One last really big solo, for all the drummers who miss rehearsals. We'll call it the "Never on Sunday Solo." (There's a bit of precedence here; I once wrote a solo for the Lancers called "The Sermon Solo." You'd never guess where I wrote that one.) Why do you guys make me do these things? I could be writing paradiddles but instead am writing nonsense. It's kind of like one of our rehearsals, without the noise! I am so proud to be involved with each of you. Now pick up your sticks and start practicing again. I will, too. BOB= Posted March 7 2010 Today's Rehearsal Lanceros, My thanks to all who attended today's rehearsal. I thought we made fine progress with the "Duck," which is getting to be like the little girl in the nursery rhyme: when she's good, very very good, but when bad, horrid. I thought that good was winning out by the time we left the basement. What needs be done with the Dick is that in addition to your practice of the solo, is each of you maintaining a sense of equanimity while playing it. An easy tempo, confidence in your own ability, a relaxed approach, and an awareness of the efforts of the entire section, those traits will continue to move us in the right direction. The progress with "Patriotic Medley" astounds me. We've worked on it for a short period of time, but the horns play it with increasing sophistication and polish. Even the "memorized" version was stirring. The horn line is to be commended for their hard work, at rehearsals and at home. We must work equally hard if not harder to keep up. We are very close to being able to play that song on Saturday, and closer still to being able to perform it at the Stinger. I think that having added at least one new number since Plymouth is essential to demonstrate a different aspect of the Lancers' talent. With three more new songs waiting in the wings, we need to show celerity in learning new numbers. Remember to use recordings on the internet to aid memorization. In a previous letter, I had shared some news the Stinger; you should have received that letter from me. Brian announced the information to the members who were present at today's rehearsal. Jason, I would suggest that you post the Stinger information on the website as soon as possible. Some dates to remember: Saturday, March 13, the York St. Patty's parade. Report at 11:00 a.m. to the parking lot of Sovereign Bank in the second block of S. George Street. It's at the corner of King and George Streets, or if you're food minded, across from the McDonalds. Monday, March 15, basement practice at 7:00 p.m. Snares plus any interested drum members. Saturday, March 20, Harrisburg St. Patty's parade. Report at 2:00 p.m. More on this parade later. Tuesday, March 23, rehearsal at the Legion, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. This is a special rehearsal in preparation for the Stinger. Consider it as important, please, as the Stinger itself. Saturday, March 27, the Stinger, at Parkville HS, 2600 Putty Hill Avenue, Baltimore. Stage rehearsal at 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Showtime at 6:40 p.m. There will be time to rehearse off stage, and also time to eat before our show. For those arriving late, get there as early as possible, please. More on this show later. On a very different matter, we need to give our best wishes to Kyler and Allen, who are performing a duet in an indoor show next week. I hope that they'll perform their duet for the drum line next rehearsal. We had two "new" old members return today. Cory Aumen, a former bass drummer, will be filling in on cymbals for a time. And Randy Kemp is back, and very motivated. Randy drummed with me twice last week, will do the same this week. That's eleven snares if you're counting. I'm hoping for eight or nine at the Stinger, along with three or four quads, four rudimental basses, and four straight basses. We need cymbal players for that job. John can't handle all the work himself, though I know he'd try. Membership goals: we need to get Rob Harris back in the fold on quad, need to hear from Michelle, and still need cymbal players. I hope to see most of you Saturday, many of you Monday night. Remember, too, if you want additional practice time with me, you need but ask. A productive day, my friends. Let's keep moving and growing. BOB Posted March 6 2010 Stinger Schedule Lanceros, Here's the rehearsal/performance schedule for the Stinger. Jared, Allen and Kyler, pay close attention. I hope you can all get there to perform, if not to practice. BOB
Stage rehearsal times: Posted March 5 2010 Before I Go... Bob Z received this info from an AF Corps buddy, and it is more than I have received from anyone, so wanted to share with you before I head out-of-town. It doesn't mention ANYTHING about the U.S. Marine Corps D & B Corps, which is disheartening. I was looking forward to hearing them, and also to being on the same stage with them. Archer-Epler Musketeers Posted March 3 2010 Reminder... REHEARSAL SUNDAY, MARCH 7th at 2:00pm IN THE LEGION SOCIAL HALL. I have been informed by Brian & Bob, that since "Patriotic Medley" is sounding so good, they'd like to work very hard on it Sunday to get it into performance mode.......................THAT MEANS MEMORIZED!!! That isn't "cut-in-stone" at this point, but they'd like to try. If it just isn't ready, then we will definitely give it the debut performance in Winchester, May 1st. It would be GREAT to be able to do it for the "Stinger," but that will pretty much be determined by the outcome of Sunday's rehearsal. Hope the majority of you will be there, and will have worked on "Patriotic Medley" BEFORE arriving. As a side-note..........................my wife and I will be leaving early Saturday morning, so PLEASE refrain from sending me emails from 3/06 through 3/14. Thanks!! Posted March 2 2010 Change... Due to some problems of "blocking off the streets of York" before Noon (sound familiar?), our mini-concert on the square before the St. Pat's Parade has been moved from 12:30 - 12:50pm. We will then march to the parade start, and be 4th in line, following the Honor Guard Unit and the Grand Marshall & Family. Posted March 1 2010 Fw: Alumni Drum Corps Don't know if anyone has anything to offer to this, or not, but wanted to share the info........................ My name is Bill Lewis, and I’m a member of Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Alumni Corps. I’ve just created a website for alumni corps, www.alumnidrumcorps.com . My purpose is to provide information about any and all activities of alumni drum corps. We welcome schedule and show information, photos and videos, stories and just about anything about your corps. My hope is that this site can be a sort of clearing house for information. Please check out the site. I welcome any comments and/or suggestions. Thanks, Bill Lewis |
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