K.I.S.S.

Learning lots of lessons this week.


Finally got the Fidler boys to take a stab at transcribing Mr. Kilpatrick's Mrs Macpherson. Of course, we don't use these scores, we just transcribe them to see what these leading drummers are doing, and why.

Here's what we learned.

Jim has a youngish corp, new players. I watched them a lot last week and these drummers might be the best one on one players I've ever seen. So wouldn't the music reflect this? Nope.

These players can all defy gravity and physics in general to play in their own styles... but to play together Jim has written his music beautifully simple, and perfectly ensemble.

I encourage you all to take a listen to the Shotts performances of their MSR's listen to the drumming. It's incredibly well done, and though it sounds fancy, it's actually remarkably tasty and simple.

Cheers,

Sean

Hokey Pokey...

In Memorium With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment,
it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person,
which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote
"The Hokey Pokey", died peacefully at age 93.
The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin.
They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started



I know, that's horrible... But Alan started it, and quite frankly if I had invented the Hokey Pokey I'd have a good sense of humour.

Well it's Wednesday, no practice last night. Kinda in withdrawal. I've been studying though. Watching videos, transcribing drum scores to figure out why Kilpatrick does what he does. It's been fun.

I've already begun penning some scores. The new MSR has been chosen and I'm off to the races. I get to take a stab at two tunes I have always wanted to write for. Lord Alexander Kennedy, and Maggie Cameron.

I've played both tunes before, with other corps, but I've never had the chance to sit down and put everything I want into it. The corp we have today allows me to write whatever I want musically instead of being hand cuffed.

There's also some pretty exciting business afoot, I reserve the right to speak of them currently, but I'm busting trying not to write about it.

We'll talk soon. If you've got any videos or pics you'd like to share from the SASPB summer send them my way.

sean@saspb.com

Cheers,

Sean

A Year in Review, and a Year in Preview

Well it's all over...

What a fantastic season. From last year in September to seeing our second consecutive trip to Scotland come to fruition, to making it home safe and sound, I can't believe it went so fast.

I think my favorite accomplishment of this year was that we did it. We made it back. I was on the plane from London to Edinburgh and it finally hit me that we had pulled it off, and we were going back. I could tell we were suddenly being considered part of the serious competitors club when we started bumping into other bands who were surprised to see us but very complimentary of our last season.

Am I disappointed...? I've been asked a few times since arriving home.

The answer is yes. How could you not be? We traveled thousands of kilometers and performed for 5 minutes to find out we weren't going through.

But, there's always a but... I'm also very pleased with what we learned out of not qualifying. I personally think we learned more from the result this year than we did last year.

It was crushing to have to look at my young corp and tell them we didn't go through. They acted with more maturity than most 50 year olds might, and I couldn't be more proud. If anything they made me feel better.

I feel that when your corp does everything you asked, and they don't go through, it's on you. You're the one telling them what to play, how to play, and it is your vision of perfection they're trying to realize. So when things don't go your way, it's on your shoulders.

After finally sucking up my disappointment I made my way to the beer tent to see my band and make sure my corp wasn't taking things to hard. The drummers weren't there, every side was over watching the final, trying to learn as much as they could for next season. The tenors made sure to come over to me and show me their smiles. My girls always know how to cheer me up, and sure enough I realized that though they were disappointed, they were also determined. Determined to improve for next year.

Too often I hear bands blame judges. Not these people, these people simply wanted to get better. Not one person asked me what went wrong. They just said "we'll fix whatever it is and be back next year". I'm so proud.

We have a ton of work to do in the upcoming season. But it will be fun. The new and improved SASPB will come out looking, sounding, and playing different, but we'll stay true to our style and music, and our people.

I plan on building the corp. With friends from Ireland, and local players, we will play a bigger corp, cleaner. More tenors, to match the size of the pipe corp. Generally, we won't take a single step backwards... only forwards.

Despite what feels a bit like disappointment, I'm feeling more excited every minute, a new season is upon us, a clean slate.

Thank you to the band, from Wes and I. You took what could have been a disaster and made it into a chance to learn, and improve. We're very proud of you all, and believe it or not, I kinda wish we had practice tomorrow night ;)

Cheers,


Sean

A Great Weekend Ahead

What's better than a band wedding?

For the first time in St. Andrew's History two band members will be married...

I've heard of this magical occasion happening in other bands, and we have plenty of married folks in the band... But we've never had two members join as individuals and turn out a pair.

Like a good set of sticks, or a matched set of drone reeds, Kyla and Ian seem to just work best together. They compliment each other.

As Ian's lead drummer I can safely say he's a bit haphazard. Creative to the absolute end, a wonderful energy to have around, a great teacher, but man... he couldn't organize or remember his way out of a drum case if the lid was off.

Ian has been a constant thorn... I mean rock :) by my side since I took over the grade 4 corp many moons ago, and he is the only human being on earth who can make me smile a week before the World's.

I was thinking of him on Tuesday when we were rehearsing... Wishing he was there. Things were good, but I tend to start nit picking things that don't matter when I'm nervous and Ian is usually a great relief when he cracks the right joke, or just assures the corp that I'm only crazy because of the date.

So why am I in a good mood today?

Because once again a week before the World's, Ian has found a way to help me relax. He's getting married... to my baby sister...

Kyla and I have had our share of worries in life, Kyla especially being the sensitive one. I honestly don't how she ever would have made it to Nurse, and grown woman, without Ian. I'm not sure I'd be where I am without him either.

Dark times can weigh on you. Ian has always been there for our family and brought a little light in. I suppose the least Patty and I could do would be to share our Kyla.

I'm getting on a plane Sunday. Kyla and Ian never questioned me leaving so soon after their wedding, they know me to well, and they understand this beautiful disease I suffer from... they both have a little dose too. But, come Saturday August 13, I'll be thinking of them especially as we take the field. The big blue machine marching out to war.

I've never set foot on Scottish soil without my baby sister, and it has been a very long time since I saw a contest circle without Kyla and/or Ian. It might be great, but it certainly won't be the same.

Thank you to both of you, if you read this, for having me and my new family a part of your most important day. Jacob, Angie, and I are honored to be involved.

To the rest of you, I'm out. No more blog until we get to the airport in Toronto or something.

It's wedding time!!


Sean

Get Ready to Rumble!!!

Last practice was last night... time to pack...

I've been putting off the blog all day because every time I think of it I get these monster butterflies in my stomach... I love that feeling.

It's been a wild year. So many shows, I'm trying to picture in my mind one in particular but every time I look to a memory of my drum in front of me they all blend together.

So what happens now.

Most people say, we had a great season. But, in truth, our season starts Sunday morning, and ends Saturday afternoon. Short but sweet. Really hard to explain.

I hope, regardless of results, each band member looks back on this season with fondness and pride. We achieved a lot. We're a thousand miles further ahead from last year at this time.

It's a good time to wear blue.

An Afternoon Treat From Cutting Edge Graphics

A little ditty Chris cooked up this afternoon, possible t-shirt?? You betcha.. Wes as Mr. T?? Most certainly

The Last Week

The weekend is over.

And what a weekend it was!!!! Pipe band everywhere... except in Winnipeg.

It was the North American, and European Championships this past weekend and we want to extend our congrats to new Gr. 2 N/A Champions New West Minster, and all the bands that were in Maxville, sounds like a great contest.

Of course a big congrats goes out to friends of the band Graham Brown and Jake Watson, as well as P/M John Cairns for their second North American Grade 1 Championships.

The Europeans shook down much like I anticipated. Ravara cleaned up but didn't walk away with the grade 2 title. It was pretty mixed up in the results and that bodes well for the World's. Grade 1 was exactly as I predicted, it sure looks like Field Marshall are on a rampage.

Here in the Peg we took a much deserved weekend off before our last rehearsal. The past 24 hours have mostly been dedicated to prepping for tonight, pre packing, and deciding what to put on the bass drum... So I thought I'd share what I think we're going with barring some odd last minute change.




We're still humming and hawing between myself, Wes, and Chris. But this is awesome!!!

I love that the only problem we have going into this last week is what to put on the bass drum.

That's about it for now. Should be a low key practice tonight. Wanna keep everyone well rested for the trip. We're very very well prepared and it's mostly just a question of repeating what we do when the time comes.

I read Iain's City of Regina blog today. Sounds like they had a blast. I was happy to see them in the top 6, and more than happy to hear him say the plays in Maxville weren't their best. They've over come some incredible odds in a short period of time, and I know what that's like. I'm sure everyone in their organization is very proud of what they've accomplished and I'd like to extend our congratulations to them. I can't wait for next season, and to hear them again!

Until tomorrow when I report on how rehearsal went, cheers!

Sean