Manitoba Highland Gathering, Clinics, and Karaoke?

Happy Monday to all my beaters and blowers. I hope we find each other well.

The season seems to be in full swing. I've been eagerly watching the results come in from all over the world. Right now I have my hard earned no money on Field Marshal for the World's again. Even on Youtube they sound like their putting on a clinic for the other grade 1 bands.

We spent the past week drumming. Which is equivalent to spending it in heaven in my book. Friend of the blog and proprietor of www.highlanding.net Graham Brown flew in on Monday and began a rigorous schedule of lessons and clinics.

Practice Tuesday went well. Graham got a feel for where the Grade 2 corp was and we worked some kinks out, then after his solo lesson Wednesday I hosted a pad practice at my construction site... I mean home. It was fun to see the whole corp around my dining room table, as well as Dave Chorney and family coming for a visit. I hope in the years to come my step son Jacob will remember having this awesome drum corp sitting around his table pounding their way to great things. He was already gung ho to show Mr. Brown his doubles.

Thursday Graham spent with a few soloists and then the grade 3 band. New band bass drummer David was working into the grade 3 music and he is well on his way to being a fantastic addition to the corp there.

Friday night Graham and I attended the "judges meeting" before MBHG. By meeting I clearly mean bbq at Wes'. With all good intentions we headed to Lead tenor drummer Megan Ross' 20th birthday party and I left shortly after hearing the words Korean Karaoke. A wise decision.

Saturday brought rain. The contest was moved to higher ground, but we still managed two very solid plays and I'm very pleased with all the work the corp has done this past week. So much improvement in so little time is amazing. I wanted to thank all the grade 2 cats that came out Sunday for our clinic with Jake Watson and Alan Walters. Father's day isn't the best time to be in a parking lot getting a sunburn but they were out in full force.

We continue our journey towards Maxville this week. Next stop the contest circle. Stay tuned as I'll be updating regularly for the next month and a half.

Cheers

Sean

The Kids Ain't Cheap

Spring has sprung, and gone, and then it rained, and now it's summer..... For most in the pipe band world this means contest time. For a prairie lead drummer this means contest time, and prep for next year time. Music to pick, write, and arrange, and more importantly... Budgets to put together. Did you know that to get a custom paint job (a la our beauty drums) it take approx. 6 months for delivery? HOLY EXPLETIVE BATMAN!!!!! In the pipe band world things change in a matter of weeks. One minute you have 6 drummers next it's 10.. or something...... So my job at this time of the year is to look at what I've got coming in to our 3 drum corps and then make a budget based on heads, repairs, and new drums. On another note, having an artist deal with a major manufacturer helps.... but there is still a cost to each drum and it ain't cheap. I'm blessed to be experiencing growth in the back end. If all goes to plan I'll be able to field 10-11 snares next year in grade 2, 4 in grade 3, and maybe 2 -3 in two Rivers. Problem... we don't have that many drums. So I'm bending my mind to find either a fundraiser, or a sponsorship that can help this drum corp stay in the black. If you have any ideas throw them my way. Second point of the day. Mr. Graham Brown Lead Drummer of Peel, and former World Champine yadda yadda holy crap he's good, is in town to work me and the gang into a competitive rabid wolf. I'm looking forward to a week where pipe band is at the forefront of my mind. Graham is giving lessons while he's in town and if you get this in time message me for details. It's worth every penny to get a chance to pick this amazing young drummers mind. I'll get back to you after the week is over and I wanna jump off a roof.... ;) Sean