Thoughts and comments from Mr. Cassell
Blog
BAND FESTIVAL
Funny how a year changes things...
last year we received a 3 at district band festival - and in my opinion we clearly did NOT deserve it. This year, we go and get straight ones..even in sight reading! I'm not 100% convinced we deserved straight ones, but in light of last years rape at festival I'll gladly take it with understanding that MSBOA clearly doesn't always get it right. I am really happy for the kids who had to deal with that score last year. Hopefully they enjoy it this year!! As we prepare for State Festival I am excited, but a bit nervous with the amount of material we have to prepare in the next two months or so. We have State Festival, the Spring concert, the Memorial Day event, & Graduation...not to mention Florida. It will be challenging, but we should be fine - with hard work!! Nice job Symphonic Band!!!!!!!!!
3 weeks in...
Fitting as the third week of school comes to an end I find myself with some sort of sickness. But the show must go on! We have our second marching band competition this week at Trenton HS. I was pleased with our opening score last week at Woodhaven (57.60) but not that thrilled about being 3 of 3 bands in our flight. Its nice scoring in a competitive range though. I can remember just about 3 years ago scoring in the 30's during the first week....we have come a long way.
In the class room, the band classes seems to be going ok. I have tons of good kids and some pretty good musicians. I also seem to have a few people who are...well, let's say still learning. I hope they keep working and do not get discouraged. It can be very overwhelming when the person next to you is much better than you. It seems to be a really great 9th grade class and I think if they all stick with it the Truman Bands will be good for many years to come.
What's new is the choir..for me any way. The kids in there are very nice and seem very willing to deal with 'the band guy' as i do my best to let them put on a great show. I am really excited to have the choir kids learn the tunes I select and make some great music. I read an interesting book by a former band director turned choir director this summer. Much of what he wrote is true...music is very universal. I may not be the best vocal teacher, but I do know music and how to be successful performing it. I truly am looking forward to our choir concerts this year!
Marching Band 2009
The eve of a new marching band season...
I am really looking forward to the possibilities. I am excited about the music and the direction we are taking as a program. This show is not the most difficult we have ever done, but it is the most challenging from an artistic point of view. I have always described this show as a DCI-type show. Really, all shows are or could be 'DCI-types,' but this one just sounds like something a corps would do. The pit has a much more pronounced role instead of just color-background parts. The drill should be very interesting as we have a new drill designer, Chris Cantrell. Chris is a drill designer in Texas and writes tons of drill for various schools. He marched with Phantom Regiment and the Cadets of Bergen County. He was on staff in 1993 when the Cadets won the World Championship. I am excited to see our own custom show! You can visit his site cantrellmarching.com
We are going to be getting several new pep band pieces this year to go along with our traditional tunes as well. All-in-all it should be a good year. I can't wait to see what happens this season. Good luck to everyone...especially the 9th graders. I know its tough to come to Truman and have all of this marching band stuff thrown at you, but in the end its all worth it - I promise!
There should be some information available very soon for our WDW trip....hmm, what is "WDW?" I guess that's what Google is for!
Well here it is...
The new website. I am really hoping it works for everyone. I know we had some audio problems in the past. Please shoot me an email (via the contacts link) if you have any problems.