Keyboard_Countessa

Well, I didn't try out for my college's marching band because they don't have a front ensemble, and my plan of taking private lessons and trying out for the concert band in the spring didn't work out because I couldn't get into the lessons class. But then I found out about a local-area indoor drumline organization, went to the audition camps and, in an odd twist of circumstances, ended up on the bass line. That's managed to serve my music needs quite nicely.

SO. FREAKIN. CUTE. And those adorable little drums... it's almost too much to take!

TTS: Not knowing whether I'll get to hang out with my drumline friends tonight because I don't have a ride. That, and the imminent doom of the new school year.

Though I'm always rooting for The Cavaliers, I wasn't too surprised to see BD win; they were pretty solid this year.

Something I found amusing: on the 21st I was at the DCI San Antonio show, and throughout the day I saw numerous people who had copies of the seventh book with them in the Alamodome.

I'm not an instructor, but I do remember that my high school pit used both: Burton on vibes and Stevens on marimba.

I would say it went well. We worked on a few cadences and started learning music for our production show. We still have 3 spots open, so hopefully they'll be filled by our next rehearsal on the 28th.

The Killers are my most favorite band EVER! For me, all of their songs are pure . Seeing them perfom live back in April was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life, from glitter confetti raining down from the ceiling at the opening of the concert to jumping up and down while singing "Mr. Brightside" at the top of my lungs with thousands of other people. Other "modern" groups I like include Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Train and Lifehouse. A few years ago I was really into oldies music, so I still have an affinity for stuff like The Monkees, The Beach Boys and The Supremes.

Though I'm no expert in reviewing drum corps shows, I thought I'd share some of my own thoughts on what I saw. SCV is one of my favorites, so anytime I get to see them it makes me happy. And their show gives me extra reason to be happy, because... it just make me happy. I can't really find a way to explain it, but I was so excited that I even did the "Eureka!" yell (and normally yelling is not my thing). Plus the cymbal line's visuals amused me. Though it meant Phantom Regiment got 6th place, I was glad to see Carolina Crown in the top 5. Their show was entertaining and well-executed, especially in the last movement with the guard "race." Since I found out Phantom Regiment's show included Firebird, I was really looking forward to seeing it, and I was not disappointed. Hearing that finale melody explode from that powerful brass line was mind-blowing. The first thing I thought when I saw the Bluecoats' new unis was "Ooooooooooooh... they got a makeover!" Once I got over the shock, I fully enjoyed their show and the way they played out the criminal theme. And the silent drill was cool, too. The Cadets... ehh. The narration seemed a bit much to me, and most of the time I couldn't even understand it. At least it didn't have tons of overstimulation like last year's show. The Cavaliers are also one of my favorites, and the upbeat mood of the show makes me extra happy. It's full of little touches that make it fun, like the brass line's fall-down wave, or the choreography in the "Pressure" movement. As much as I would've likes to see the Cavies win, I can understand why Blue Devils took first place: they're a good corps and they had a good show. The whole thing is very intense and it kept my attention very well. Also, their drumline is rather bad@$$.

UPDATE: Rhythmic Force is holding its next and final audition/clinic on Saturday, July 14th from 11am-4pm at Campbell Elementary. Audition forms and music are now posted on the group's website, so check it out!

UPDATE: Rhythmic Force is holding its next and final audition/clinic on Saturday, July 14th from 11am-4pm at Campbell Elementary. Audition forms and music are now posted on the group's website, so check it out!

The Cavies fan in me is a bit disappointed. But the soft spot I have for the Bluecoats is very, very happy.

TTR: hanging out with crazy drummer people at Hooter's until 1 am. (I drumline.)

Tips: wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty/sweaty in, and bringing some cleaning supplies might be a good idea. Hilarious incident: once during one of my band's work days, a mouse skeleton was found in the guard closet!

Rhythmic Force, a nonprofit indoor percussion organization located in Austin, TX, has just finished up its spring season and is getting ready for its newest project: the Production Line. The Production Line will perform at events to promote the organization and help raise funds for the Performance Line, which performs in the spring. The Production Line will also be featured at the Austin Latin Music Awards in late August. An audition/clinic for the Production Line is scheduled for Saturday, June 30 at Campbell Elementary School. Those interesting in joining the Production Line must be between the ages of 18-30 years old. (Exceptions are made under certain circumstances. Individuals must be no younger than 14, and must NOT be involved in marching activities at their school.) Applicant forms and audition music will be posted on the Rhythmic Force website before June 30, and participants should bring their own sticks/mallets to the clinic. For more information, visit the group

Rhythmic Force, a nonprofit indoor percussion organization located in Austin, TX, has just finished up its spring season and is getting ready for its newest project: the Production Line. The Production Line will perform at events to promote the organization and help raise funds for the Performance Line, which performs in the spring. The Production Line will also be featured at the Austin Latin Music Awards in late August. An audition/clinic for the Production Line is scheduled for Saturday, June 30 at Campbell Elementary School. Those interesting in joining the Production Line must be between the ages of 18-30 years old. (Exceptions are made under certain circumstances. Individuals must be no younger than 14, and must NOT be involved in marching activities at their school.) Applicant forms and audition music will be posted on the Rhythmic Force website before June 30, and participants should bring their own sticks/mallets to the clinic. For more information, visit the group

TTS: My last exam being on a Saturday evening.

TTR: seeing The Killers, my most favorite band EVER, live in concert!! (It was a week ago, but I'm still thinking about it.) Also, finding out my drumline director used to be in the Blue Man Group!

After much bugging of my mother, we FINALLY ordered our tickets! I did not realize how frustrating Ticketmaster can be, but it's worth it.

I've learned that even Dallas can be fun as long as you have a little "creativity"... For example: Last year our band went to Dallas and we went to Medieval Times. One of my friends thought the bad guy in the show was really hot, so the whole time she was cheering for him and catcalling him (and he heard her, because sometimes he'd smile or wave at her). At the end of the show when he's being dragged off in chains, she yells out, "I love you!" And you could distinctly see him say to her, "I love you too, babe!" That was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me.

TTR: playing a cadence based on SCV's "Double Beat" exercise!

That song was a favorite of my high school's band and football team alike. It helped that the drum major directing it would do an AWESOME dance! Other than that, I always found "Smoke on the Water" and "Iron Man" to be quite fun.

They did leadership camps for my school too! It was best the second year because I got to watch everyone else go through the maze. I don't see anything wrong with being a Tigger; he's one of my favorites. (I'm a slightly reformed Piglet, myself. )

I remember once in concert band we sightread a piece called Polovestian Dances, which had rather odd titles for the different movements, such as "Dance of the Slave-Girls" and "Dance of the Men and the Little Boys".

Thingz that suck for a pit person learning to play marching bass: flams, diddles, 32nd notes and box drills.