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FOR MEMBERS |
Last Revised June 10, 2008
Posted May 26, 2008 Lanceros,
No doubt the song from which the above title is constructed eludes most of you, but it's a Walt Disney tune, one that refers to "blue birds on my shoulder, the truth," etc. And the truth, my drumming friends, is that I did have a wonderful day, thanks to all of you. The morning parade and all the other events were good; the afternoon was simply spectacular. Rick Anderson had warned me that "the morning was simply practice and the horns will wail this afternoon." He was more than right about the horns, as all the drummers will attest. The horn line knocked our socks off, if you will. Or maybe it was the lower half of our pants! What I didn't anticipate, and what Rick didn't predict, was that the drum line would perform so well, too. As Kenny noted at the cemetery at parade's end, "There were times out there when we were almost clean." And we were! I think the performance of the Duck at the Legion, done sans any kind of practice since our pathetic attempt at WInchester, augured well for later in the day. Alas, I was too obtuse to see what was coming. But rest assured, I wasn't too obtuse to recognize a good performance when I saw it. I have a strong sense that with a few more good rehearsals, with a few more good turnouts, and perhaps with a few more new members, we're bound for a very fine season. I must acknowledge a few special moments today. First, there was Tom Reed's joining the line and performing as though he'd been playing for a couple of years. Second, there was Marcus asking me if he could play rudimental bass, a fact which will be most welcome indeed. There was the appearance, albeit too briefly, of Randy, making the parade, then drifting off in the midst of cannon smoke. There were all those drummers drumming, too. When we marched seven across in Gettysburg, the only comparable event might have been Pickett's charge 150 years ago! (Jared, you missed a most special moment, I promise you, and we missed you, too.) And we must not forget Bob Boehner's joining the corps again after a long injury riddled hiatus, even if it involved his picking up a melophone again. Finally, there was Kenny's unique start of the street beat in Gettysburg. Normally, Kenny plays something that sounds like "Ah one & This time, as we ended marching to a tap, the intro became something akin to "Ah 3E ah . . ." That intro was followed by numerous street beats of varying degrees of correctness, a few street beats that clearly belonged to other corps no longer existing, and more than a few looks of consternation. Kenny, my friend, this event alone will make Gettysburg 2008 memorable. To paraphrase Old Abe, "They may not remember what we said here, but they will long remember what we did here!" Of course, I should qualify not remembering what was said, since Michelle's reference to "my looking like a boy" will have a life of its own as well. I floated home from the Gettysburg parade, and I assure you that it's pride that is floating me. Thank you one and all for a memorable Memorial Day. We have rehearsal in six days; let's all be there. Posted May 26, 2008 Wow! Don't you just love those G-burg audiences?!? When I was directing a Show Choir in H.S., I could always depend on a very appreciative, and involved audience, to get the "kid's" adrenalin flowing, and for them to increase their performance level a couple of "notches!" It works for US too, doesn't it?? When the crowd is screaming and really appreciating what we are providing for them, it makes us all the better, and it certainly showed this afternoon.
A number of our members commented that we really made the right choice when we chose Gettysburg's Memorial Day Parade over the one in Columbia. It's just a shame they don't have "other" parades that fit into our schedule. They DO have a Halloween Parade, but it is the same week as the one in Hanover. (usually a Tuesday and Hanover's is Thursday) I also doubt they would be interested in "paying" the corps to come to that, but if any of you living in G-burg would be interested in checking that out, please do so.
Regardless, it was a GREAT day, and we had a wonderful turnout for BOTH parades. We had 37 horns and 19 in the drum line in Hanover this morning, and didn't lose too many in either for our trip to G-burg this afternoon. The police escort worked out very nicely for our concert on Park St. following the parade, and they seemed very appreciative that we agreed with their wishes. Now, if we can just convince the Jaycees to make some changes for us in the Halloween Parade, it will be wonderful!
Our next trip to Gettysburg will be for the concert at Penn Hall on the G-burg College Campus. The date is Saturday, June 21st, and we are to perform from 6:00 - 6:45pm. They are building a "stage" of sorts for these performances, and we will be sitting, w/music stands. It should give us an opportunity to really show our capabilities at performing a wide-variety of musical genres. Our next two rehearsals will be very important in making that happen. Even though we will be using music, we STILL need to be "on-the-same-page" with each selection, and the ONLY way that can happen is with some good quality rehearsal time. Directions for parking and Penn Hall will follow as time gets closer..................it is quite easy to find.
Our next rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, June 1st at 2:00pm at the Legion. We will then have one additional rehearsal before performing in G-burg, and it will be held at the Legion on Sunday, June 15th at 2:00pm. Please plan on joining us for BOTH of these rehearsals prior to the G-burg Concert.
Our next parades are the 4th of July parades. Dundalk/Towson on Friday, July 4th, 8:00am & 10:30am, respectively. The Havre de Grace Independence Day Parade will be held on Saturday, July 5th at 2:00pm. On a sad note....................many of you know Ernie Kranius, a former rifle with the corps, and then a Drum Major for awhile, and also the owner of the Texas Lunch in G-burg, and an annual sponsor of the Lancers doing the Memorial Day Parade each year...................his father is in Stage 4 cancer of the liver & one lung. His days are very limited, although Ernie has requested the doctors not to tell his father just how long. Ernie is trying to schedule a trip to Greece very quickly in order for his dad to see his relatives & friends one last time. Please keep Ernie, his father, and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers. I will try to keep you updated as I hear anything additional. 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.
Posted May 24, 2008 Won't be home much of tomorrow, so thought I'd send these reminders out tonight.............. Posted May 19, 2008 Thanks to ALL that made it to the Legion today for rehearsal. I apologize again for any confusion our "moving" rehearsal made, or to any who may have searched the entire afternoon at HHS to find us. I had tried to find an "outside" area that had some sort of pavilion for us to "hide under" in the event of inclement weather (and we would have needed that), but to no avail. I had put out a request to the management of the Lyric Band to see if it would be possible to "borrow" their facility for the afternoon, and heard nothing back from ANY of them, one way or another. They also never responded regarding the invitation for them to join us at the cemetery in the playing of our "National Anthem" on Memorial Day. I did find out from some of OUR members, that also play in the Lyric, they WILL be joining us at the cemetery next Monday morning. "One Joy Will Scatter A Hundred Sorrows!" Posted May1 4, 2008 An important note from Kim Rees. It's for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising $5,000 to help bring us closer to that goal. Many of us know someone, perhaps a family member or a friend, who has been affected by breast cancer. Personally, I'm doing this walk in honor of my mother-in-law Kathy and my aunt Hope (both survivors), and in memory of my grandmother. I hope you will consider making a donation on my behalf and help bring me one step closer to achieving my fundraising goal. To make a tax-deductible donation, simply follow the link below or visit online at www.The3Day.org. If you choose to make a large contribution, you can spread it out over a few months by using the payment plan option. You can also make a donation by phone by calling 1.800.996.3Day, or you can send a check directly to me (made out to "Breast Cancer 3-Day"). I hope you will help support me in the fight against breast cancer! Thank you for your time, Posted May 4, 2008 Wanted you to have the chance to read Tom Snyder's letter in the event I forget to tell you at our next rehearsal................. Posted May 4, 2008 Lanceros, Tom Kittinger's already made a clear statement of how successful yesterday was. I would like to reinforce that comment, and I'd like to thank Tom himself, for he always is organized and always has the logistics in order for a successful job. Were it not for Tom's telling the bus driver where to go (in the most positive sense) we might be in Alabama by now. In addition to Tom, I want to thank Rick Anderson for his suggestion of a place to picnic, and Bill Reese, Scott Klunk, Martie and Garry, and Keith Albright, and all who made the picnic a success. What a nice way to end the day's efforts. I know that most of us got to spend a little time with other corps members, get to know one another more, and made the corps more of a "family" in the process. The parade itself was amazing. I know, absolutely know, that the drum line set an all time record for continuous play, 50 minutes of parading without a pause, stop, or break. I myself could not play checkers (assuming I played checkers) for fifty minutes straight. For those riding the bus, you know of Keith Albright's comment about attending a pig roast for the corps in October. No doubt Tom will remind us all, but I'd ask that you put that one on your agenda, and let Tom know so he can tell Keith. If we keep marching endless parade routes, we'll need to pork up a little to regain the weight we'll have lost. I also want to commend Marcus and Kristy for their excellent performances in their first parade. When we add new people and they contribute at once, that's very important for the success of the line. We continue to need to add drummers, especially rudimental basses and basses. The next rehearsal is Sunday, May 18 at Hanover HS. Let's try to get everyone there. We always have good rehearsals in that facility. I would suggest two dates for a possible basement practice, which at the moment would be just for snares, and for quads if interested. React, please, to these two dates: Monday, May 12, and Thursday, May 15. I'll let you know which one as soon as I hear from you. Till then, drum, think drumming, and keep the Lancers in your heart. Let's keep growing and getting better. BOB Posted May 3, 2008 INCREDIBLE!! From Tom Kittinger It has been an absolutely INCREDIBLE DAY!!! |