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FOR MEMBERS |
Last Revised June 25, 2008
Posted June 23, 2008 You might want to "check this out!" Posted June 23, 2008 Lanceros, I'm quite tardy in getting a message to you re: the Lancers' performance on Saturday at Gettysburg College. I want to apologize for arriving "late." I'd hoped for more time to practice, and my getting there when I did surely did not allow us to work as much, especially on the Duck, as I'd have liked. There didn't seem to be any deleterious effect on our drumming by having practiced less, so the amount of time spent practicing probably had less effect than I'd feared. There were areas of concern for me that lasted till the concert began. First among them was the unusual placement of the drummers, so far removed from the horns and so high above them. Of equal concern were the proximity of the drummers to the back wall, the ceiling above them, and the pillars which affected sight lines and divided drummers from drummers. Had I been more alert, I'd have checked that situation sooner, though I'm not sure how we'd have counteracted the situation had the results proved intrusive or confusing. In the end, the horns and drums were well balanced, the balance within the drum line was appropriate, the individual sections were audible, and even the Duck sounded fine, though the visual effect of the drumming was lost amidst the pillars, the height, and the separation. As for the concert itself, the horns performed well, and the balance was OK. I thought that this show was one of the few times when the first sopranos were overshadowed. I know we were lacking numbers in the first section; given the improved turnout and performance in other sections, that could be a continuing concern. There were moments when more "melody" was required. The melophone and bari parts were clearly performed, and in general, the concert was effective. I should also commend Brian for his directing and announcing; both were effective and added to the success of the show. We were to play 45 minutes; I believe we finished at 6:47 p.m., and since we started on time, that means we were right on target. I want to extend a welcome back to Dar; having our old friend play again was a huge gift, just as was seeing his smiling face. I also want to commend Tom, who pretty much learned the Duck on his own. Tom was not feeling well, but that did not stop his playing with consummate skill. I hope he sees a doctor and ascertains the cause of his breathing problems. We've several important parades remaining before we hit a slower time. I will hope to see all of you July 4 and July 5. My thanks, once again, for a job well done. BOB Posted June 17, 2008 Lanceros,
In looking ahead to Saturday at Gettysburg, I propose that we all do our best to arrive in Gettysburg so that we are ready to practice at five p.m. That might mean arriving a few minutes before the hour if possible. My main concern for the performance there is the Duck. I'd like to do the solo with five snares, Rick, Kenny, Jared, Brian, and Tom. Dar says he will opt out of the solo this time. I'd expect the rest of the line to perform as usual. We will need to work as a section on the solo, and we may need to work the snares alone as well. I see all the other songs as either being well prepared for, as should apply to parade tunes, or adequate, since we will use music stands as needed. We will NOT use music stands, of course, for the Duck. I remind each of you, too, that there is no compulsion or mandate to play parts that you do not know or are not comfortable playing. I have several requests as well. First, that Tom bring his own wedge drum as well as his Lancer wedge; that will allow Dar to have a wedge should the new one on order not arrive. Second, that snare drummers bring pads or, should they have them, the pads that cover the head of the drum. I have two, and I'll bring them, assuming I can find them. I'll see you, ready to practice, at five p.m. Drive carefully. Posted June 16, 2008 Thanks to ALL who made rehearsal yesterday! Although and "abbreviated" rehearsal due to the festivities associated with Father's Day, we accomplished a great deal, and should be in pretty good shape for our concert on Saturday evening.
I will email you later in the week with a "final" program order for the concert. I need to get to Brian and Bob in order for that to be finalized. Also, in regard to the concert................SUMMER ATTIRE will be worn....................Black Dickie Shorts, the Lancers' White Polo/Golf Shirt, the short white socks and our black Lancer shoes........................NO BASEBALL CAP NEEDED! We will be seated and chairs and music stands will be provided..........................BRING YOUR MUSIC!! We welcomed THREE new drummers to the line yesterday: Rebecca Rickrode - Cymbals Ray Siedlecki - Rudi/Snare Matt Barninger - Bass We also heard the Dar Howard may be joining us in G-burg on Saturday......................what a JOY it will be to have him back with us! Zach (can't remember his last name) was back with us in the soprano line as well. He will be turning "15" this August, and will most likely be joining us on a regular basis following that "magic" age. We will be parking at the stadium parking area (some of it is torn up) and walking to Penn Hall. (a very short walk) If you would like to enter the area at Penn Hall to drop off your equipment and then proceed to the parking area, you may do that..................there won't be anyone allowed to park at Penn Hall. Please plan on being in the parking area between 5:00 & 5:15pm. We can do some warming up there, and then report to the staging area by 5:45. More to come later in the week! Thanks again for a good turnout at the rehearsal. See you Saturday. Posted June 15, 2008 Lanceros, First of all, my thanks to all who ventured to rehearsal today, which happened to be Father's Day. For some reason, it seemed one of those days when my contribution to being there was zilch! Everything I seemed to do seemed either unproductive or out of synch. I hope I didn't discourage too many of you with my feeble efforts. There were positives, of course, despite my efforts, not least among them getting three (3) new members for the drum line. That is an inordinate number for one day, a special gift, and I want to reiterate my welcome to each of these drummers, Matt Barninger, bass drummer, Rebecca RIckrode, cymbals, and Ray Siedlicki, rudi bass for now, but a snare for next year. These folks are going to play for July 4 and July 5, and I applaud their willingness to do so. I would ask that Jason print some small rudi parts for the top of Ray's bass and bring them along, that perhaps Charlie do the same for bass parts. I remind each of these folks that by going on the street, they may feel overwhelmed but they'll feel proud when the parades are over. I also want to thank the drummers who attended today; I know that trying to play "old" music without my giving it adequate attention, without all the parts, and without enough time, can be frustrating. I remind the snares that there's a basement practice at my house on Tuesday, June 17, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. I'll even call Randy. I expect a good turnout. Enjoy the rest of Father's Day, and till we meet again, drum! BOB Posted June 13, 2008
 UPDATE... From Tom Kittinger REHEARSAL SUNDAY, JUNE 15th, 2:00pm at the Legion Social Hall.
We will continue to work on some of the "newer" selections as well as "refreshing our memory" on many of the previous selections from our repertoire, in preparation for next Saturday's concert in G-burg. Please plan on joining us, if for no other reason, to be sure you have ALL the selections we will be playing during the concert. We need to fill about 45-minutes, so it will take quite a few selections to do that. Here is the tentative listing: Star Spangled Banner Can't Buy Me Love/Hey Jude Battle Hymn of the Republic Danny Boy Abide With Me Amazing Grace Armed Forces Medley God Bless America Man of La Mancha (abridged edition) Star Wars Hang 'em High Stars & Stripes Georgia on My Mind You'll Never Walk Alone That's quite a few numbers we haven't played for awhile, so your attendance on Sunday can make all the difference in the world in regard to how we might sound next Saturday. In addition, we are being followed by the U.S. Army Jazz Band on the same stage, so it is rather important we "wow" the audience during our segment of the show as well. That won't be difficult, assuming the majority of our horn and drum line are present at the concert! You know as well as I, if we have a full-compliment of horns and drums, we can "hang" with anyone. That needs to be our goal next Saturday evening. I honestly think the Brass Band Festival teaming with the Gettysburg Festival (for the Arts) was one of the smartest moves they could have made. There will be over 60 different venues taking place beginning next Thursday evening and running for the following 10 days. It will include everything from ballet to choruses, to numerous bands, etc. Check out the schedule for the Festival at www.gettysburgfestival.org It is indeed a pretty impressive array of entertainment, and will be one of the largest such events in the entire country. If it catches on, tens of thousands of people will be coming to G-burg every year to be entertained. It is truly a GREAT concept. So you have it in writing..................the stage we will be performing on is directly in front of Penn Hall on the G-burg College Campus. (across from the library) If you are familiar where graduation was held this year, that is the same location. Here are some simple directions for you: From York: (and Lancaster) 1) take 30W to G-burg 2) at the circle, take the first street to your right (Carlisle St.) 3) pass the Majestic Theater and cross the railroad tracks 4) if you need to "unload equipment," make a left onto W. Stevens St. 5) after the stop sign, continue across N. Washington St. Thru the old brick entrance onto campus 6) Penn Hall is the large white building directly in front of you.................unload an leave the same way you entered 7) make a left onto N. Washington St. and continue to the stop sign, and turn left onto W. Lincoln Ave.................follow until you come to the stadium parking lot, and park anywhere there. 8) if you are NOT unloading equipment, continue on Carlisle St. to the light, and make a left onto W. Lincoln Avenue...........................continue to stadium parking lot and walk to the performance area From Hanover: 1) take 116W to G-burg 2) at the circle, take the first street to your right (Carlisle St.) 3) follow directions above From Maryland: 1) Rt. 15N to the Hanover Street Exit.................Rt. 116 2) turn left onto 116W and follow directions above (from Hanover) From Harrisburg: 1) Rt.15S to the Hanover Street Exit................Rt. 116 2) turn right onto 116W and follow directions above (from Hanover) That should get you there, no matter what direction you might be coming from. If you run into problems, my cell phone # (717)965-5270. WE NEED YOU THERE, AND WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU!!! See you Sunday at 2:00pm............................IF you are there on time, and we can begin on time, we will do our very best to be out of there a bit early so ALL of us Dads can enjoy some family time!! Thanks for your cooperation!! "One Joy Will Scatter A Hundred Sorrows!" Posted June 1, 2008 Thanks for another good rehearsal.................we accomplished quite a bit today, and are well on our way to a fabulous concert in G-burg on June 21st!
Brian gave us the "option" for our next scheduled rehearsal on June 15th (Father's Day) and the majority said to have the rehearsal, regardless. With that in mind, it is necessary you make every effort in being there, so the majority that chose to have the rehearsal don't have to experience a "less than profitable" afternoon. Perhaps we can "split the difference," and plan on ending rehearsal a bit earlier to allow the "fathers" to spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening with their families.
I will have more detailed directions to Penn Hall on the G-burg College Campus at our next rehearsal, and also any additional information regarding parking, warm-up area, size of stage, etc. I will also be emailing you a "program listing" for our repertoire for that concert, as soon as Bob and Brian determine the proper program order. A Commercial................. For those of you who appreciate "good" choral literature, and fine choral singing, allow me to invite you to the 45th Annual Spring Concert of the Gettysburg Civic Chorus. The concert will take place Sunday, June 8th at 3:00pm in the Church of the Abiding Presence on the campus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. It is a beautiful Chapel with amazing acoustics. We will be presenting a wide-variety of selections for your listening enjoyment, which will include:
"Hallelujah Chorus" (from the "Mount of Olives") - Beethoven
"The Last Words of David" - Thompson
"For the Beauty of the Earth" - Rutter
"Kyrie Eleison" - Nygard, Jr.
"Steal Away" - arr. Ringwald
"Soon-Ah Will Be Done" - Dawson
"Deep River" - arr. Parker/Shaw
"Ain'-A That Good News" - Dawson
"Precious Lord Take My Hand" - Dorsey/Schrader
"Break, Break, Break" - Tennyson/Gray
"Shenandoah" arr. Hartley
"Away From the Roll of the Sea" - MacGilviray/Loomer (Women's Chorus)
"And In the Evening" - Blake/Snyder
"The Quest Unending" - Tennyson/J. Martin
"June Is Bustin' Out All Over" (from "Carousel") - arr. Stickles
"Brothers Sing On" - Grieg/McKinney (Men's Chorus)
"Hey There" (from "Pajama Game") - Adler/Ross/Shaw
"You Raise Me Up" - Loveland/Graham/Chinn (with our OWN Tenor Soloist, Brandon Dillon)
"Until We Sing Again" - Gilpin
"America, the Beautiful" - Bates/Ward/Ringwald (a "killer" A Cappella arrangement)
I think you'll find it to be quite musically rewarding, and I'm hopeful some of you will be in attendance. I selected a pretty demanding program, but they have responded quite nicely, and have worked very diligently in their preparation. Just wanted to make sure you were properly invited.
If I don't see you Sunday, I'll see you the 15th at the Legion. Take care.
Thanks again to ALL who participated in today's parades. BTW.................keep an eye on the Lancer web site, it is soon going to have a "history" of the corps movie that you will be thrilled with.
Steve Reck is to be congratulated, AND thanked for all in efforts in making it happen. I know you will be amazed and moved.
See you next Sunday.
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