...or afternoon.
Well it's official. We're going back :D
The band has confirmed our plan to go back to Scotland in 2012, including a trip to Northern Ireland for the Ulster Championships the weekend before the World's.
We're all very excited about this decision, and I am very very proud of the band for sticking with the long term plan.
Another bit of news that will come as no shock to anyone who knows him, but young chanter setup/ piper dude Andrew Laird will be leaving us this season. Andrew will be moving to Vancouver to try his hand in the big leagues with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
We could not be more proud of Andrew. He truly is a testament to hard work, and focus, as well as proof that our art form is alive and well with young people in Canada. Good on ya Andrew!!!
There's some more great news a coming and as it comes up I'll keep everyone posted.
Cheers
Sean
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday Update : A week in Preview
Happy Monday, let's all shout hooray together ready? 1, 2, 3.... yaaaaaay :(
Worth a shot.
Not to much happening last week really. We want to congratulate future grade 2 drum corp member John Stewart on his placing 9th in the Junior A category at the All Ireland Drumming Championships. We're very proud, and excited to have him coming over in just two weeks to join us for a few months!
Kids band went incredibly well. The kids are already keyed in to Wes' style and I can't wait to see what he and Ian crank out this year.
Drum corp rehearsal was awesome. Managed to get through the new march, revisit the old march, and cut through half the Salute. Not bad for sitting in the Ross' basement.
We want to thank Dean, Jane, Paul, Colin, and Megan for letting us invade their home.
Monday brings a new week, and I'm anxious. Tomorrow is the first practice for grade 2. Everyone should be out, meeting to prelude the practice. Time to make the decisions. Also we have our new best friend Allan Ash coming down, probably just in time for a few cold ones and some of 215 Legions famous wings!! Allan is in town this week all the way from Toronto and I'm looking forward to meeting him.
More on Allan to come, will explain later.
Tomorrow night we sit down and once we're done rehashing how awesome last year was, how disappointing, and yet uplifting it was. We will decide what to do this year. Of course, I think we already have.
Wes and I know what we want to do, but the band is always consulted. They have followed us across the world twice now, and never once complained. We are a team, first and foremost. Wes and I are leaders, but the team is what makes it click. All major decisions must be made together. Tomorrow we will point our ship together.
In other news, the Ford family baby watch is still in effect. I haven't heard much from soon to be papa Ford but I assure you as soon as I do, you will.
Have a great week, enjoy what little nice weather we have left, and we'll see you at practice.
Sean
Worth a shot.
Not to much happening last week really. We want to congratulate future grade 2 drum corp member John Stewart on his placing 9th in the Junior A category at the All Ireland Drumming Championships. We're very proud, and excited to have him coming over in just two weeks to join us for a few months!
Kids band went incredibly well. The kids are already keyed in to Wes' style and I can't wait to see what he and Ian crank out this year.
Drum corp rehearsal was awesome. Managed to get through the new march, revisit the old march, and cut through half the Salute. Not bad for sitting in the Ross' basement.
We want to thank Dean, Jane, Paul, Colin, and Megan for letting us invade their home.
Monday brings a new week, and I'm anxious. Tomorrow is the first practice for grade 2. Everyone should be out, meeting to prelude the practice. Time to make the decisions. Also we have our new best friend Allan Ash coming down, probably just in time for a few cold ones and some of 215 Legions famous wings!! Allan is in town this week all the way from Toronto and I'm looking forward to meeting him.
More on Allan to come, will explain later.
Tomorrow night we sit down and once we're done rehashing how awesome last year was, how disappointing, and yet uplifting it was. We will decide what to do this year. Of course, I think we already have.
Wes and I know what we want to do, but the band is always consulted. They have followed us across the world twice now, and never once complained. We are a team, first and foremost. Wes and I are leaders, but the team is what makes it click. All major decisions must be made together. Tomorrow we will point our ship together.
In other news, the Ford family baby watch is still in effect. I haven't heard much from soon to be papa Ford but I assure you as soon as I do, you will.
Have a great week, enjoy what little nice weather we have left, and we'll see you at practice.
Sean
Monday, September 12, 2011
Ensemble Direction
Well it's the first week of rehearsals. I'm pretty excited.
Two Rivers starts tonight, I'll be making an appearance to speak with parents and students etc. we're all very excited.
Tomorrow night is the first grade 2 drum corp rehearsal. The official start for grade 2 is next week, but with so many new members I need a jump start.
Which brings me to my next issue.
This year the total drum corp is bigger than the band was when I started.
How to manage a large group is officially an issue for me.
Megan and I have been discussing the growth of the drum corp at length these past few weeks and how we approach the sections is going to be a challenge.
Starting tomorrow we will have 8 sides, 5 tenors, and a bass at practice... with a 9th and potentially 10th drummer in the wood work.
Precision is everything.
We're beginning with the Marches, and a Salute, hopefully that will ease everyone in. Metronomes are important but expression is something that will be at the top of the priority list as well.
Quality of play is on the table too. Each player must attack each note the same, a learning curve it shall be....
Wish us luck as we take on this new challenge. I love a good challenge :)
Sean
Two Rivers starts tonight, I'll be making an appearance to speak with parents and students etc. we're all very excited.
Tomorrow night is the first grade 2 drum corp rehearsal. The official start for grade 2 is next week, but with so many new members I need a jump start.
Which brings me to my next issue.
This year the total drum corp is bigger than the band was when I started.
How to manage a large group is officially an issue for me.
Megan and I have been discussing the growth of the drum corp at length these past few weeks and how we approach the sections is going to be a challenge.
Starting tomorrow we will have 8 sides, 5 tenors, and a bass at practice... with a 9th and potentially 10th drummer in the wood work.
Precision is everything.
We're beginning with the Marches, and a Salute, hopefully that will ease everyone in. Metronomes are important but expression is something that will be at the top of the priority list as well.
Quality of play is on the table too. Each player must attack each note the same, a learning curve it shall be....
Wish us luck as we take on this new challenge. I love a good challenge :)
Sean
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Two Rivers Set to Start 2011/2012 Season
Happy Tuesday folks,
I was at the Two Rivers Instructors meeting last night. Not everyone made it but there was still more talent and experience at the table than at a Jonas Brothers rehearsal.
Some great ideas coming forward as we are putting a competition band forward this season. Lots of positive energy coming from the excited instructors.
The big news is that Wes Sheppard (P/M Grade 2) will be stepping up from part time instructor to running this band. Wes' years of band experience and great ability to bring the best out of kids will be reflected immediately in the calibre of our young members.
Returning instructors Ian Walker (Snare), Kyla Walker (Pipes), Heather Wiens (Pipes), Brian Hoel (Snare), and new mid-section instructor Gina Marsh round out the staff, with yours truly and Gale Walker helping out on the admin side.
I'm really looking forward to this band. The first time the kids all played together last season really brought a ton of work and effort home for all involved, it was a real moment and the first time I have ever seen a new band formed.
Stay tuned for more great things as the band will be scheduled to play the annual concert in January with the grade 2 and grade 3 bands.
First rehearsal for Two Rivers will be Monday September 12, 2011 at General Byng school. Anyone with children interested in learning from these wonderful instructors please feel free to contact me at (204) 391 - 5057 or my email sean@saspb.com.
Cheers,
Sean
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Leaving on a boat....
The date for the World Solo Snare drumming has been released. October 22nd is the day the very best drummers in our world descend on Glasgow to try their luck and head off against each other.
If they can get there...
The price you pay to play the game is growing daily. While it appears Air Transat has the best flight over, you still pay in excess of $400 to fly your drum over.
Which brings me to Air Canada...
Yes I know that's a dirty word around St. Andrew's but I have an almost better horror story than last year.
For those who weren't reading along last year, we flew to Ottawa to perform before heading to Scotland... Our brand new custom bass drum didn't make it.. Most of it did, but not all.
It was destroyed by our buddies at Air Canada, to date we still haven't seen a cent.
Which brings us to 2011. We're flying to Scotland. We banked on $50 for the 2nd bag that each drummer would have to take. It was $70 in Winnipeg, though only 70% of the drum corp was charged.
Not bad...
Until we flew home.
We arrive at the check in for BMI and of course, BMI didn't know we were coming.. Apparently Air Canada hadn't let them know our large group would be flying with them that day.
So after some phone calls and panicking we got organized and were allowed to check in to our over booked flight.
So away goes the first few drummers to pay for their extra bag. We hadn't banked on this. Last year there wasn't a return fee. However, we thought it may be a possibility.
So what is $70 Canadian in British Pounds... Let's say ball park 40 pounds. Nope Air Canada says it's 109 pounds... which is roughly $200 Canadian dollars.
That's the return fair for baggage handling. $200. Now if they'd tried to charge me that in Winnipeg I would have FedEx'd my drum, but it was only $70 there. Why the extra charge? Because you're stuck...you're in a foreign country.. and you have to get home.. essentially Air Canada has you by the snares so to speak.
We panicked and managed to come up with the money, it's not normal for a group of young musicians to each have 100 pounds floating around after a week long vacation.
Next year we'll be investigating a freight shipment.
... and a new air line.
If you're out there and you're an Air Canada employee, and you're concerned with your companies plunging stock, incompetent business practices, and dismal future.. never fear! As a tax payer I'm here for you! Even though your wonderful company clearly doesn't give a care in the world for me.
Now, where's my life jacket? If we start now we can get a dragon boat to Scotland in time for Bridge of Allen 2012
S
Monday, August 22, 2011
Almost Fall
How sick is it that I'm looking forward to the fall?
It doesn't hurt that come September my new home town becomes the Walleye capital of the world.
But, the bands start up, new music happens, the weather gets better (I'm not one for plus 35), all in all a great season.
Angie (my fiance)'s son Jacob is starting Kindergarten. Which started me thinking of all the little ones this band has running/crawling around. Also, those that are on the way.
I know Alan Ford's lovely wife is due pretty darn soon. Well planned Alan, having a baby in the off season, very smart! We're all excited for you guys, a little terrified that there's gonna be offspring of Al running around but we'll be fine.
New news out for us is the Chorneys are expecting (saw it on Facebook plus Dave told me) that should pad my drum corp. I'm betting on triplets with God like grip and technique.
It is really exciting. A big reason I love this time of year is we see everyone's families more. We have bbq's and put the sticks and chanters down long enough to enjoy each others company. It's great to see everyone growing up.
Grade 3 PM Mark's son is growing faster than SFU's drum corp. It's crazy to remember him in Scotland '08 running around dinner with Ian Walker.
Grade 2 Bass drummer Chris Brown's son Casey is kid now, seems he was a baby not so long ago.
Again, this all pads my drum corp as I'm assuming all these children will be drummers......
Anyways while most species on earth look forward to spring for new babies etc, I find in the pipe band world (especially this year) we're all excited for the fall. A whole lot of newness coming our way.
Best of luck to the upcoming new parents! We're all very excited for you.
Sean
It doesn't hurt that come September my new home town becomes the Walleye capital of the world.
But, the bands start up, new music happens, the weather gets better (I'm not one for plus 35), all in all a great season.
Angie (my fiance)'s son Jacob is starting Kindergarten. Which started me thinking of all the little ones this band has running/crawling around. Also, those that are on the way.
I know Alan Ford's lovely wife is due pretty darn soon. Well planned Alan, having a baby in the off season, very smart! We're all excited for you guys, a little terrified that there's gonna be offspring of Al running around but we'll be fine.
New news out for us is the Chorneys are expecting (saw it on Facebook plus Dave told me) that should pad my drum corp. I'm betting on triplets with God like grip and technique.
It is really exciting. A big reason I love this time of year is we see everyone's families more. We have bbq's and put the sticks and chanters down long enough to enjoy each others company. It's great to see everyone growing up.
Grade 3 PM Mark's son is growing faster than SFU's drum corp. It's crazy to remember him in Scotland '08 running around dinner with Ian Walker.
Grade 2 Bass drummer Chris Brown's son Casey is kid now, seems he was a baby not so long ago.
Again, this all pads my drum corp as I'm assuming all these children will be drummers......
Anyways while most species on earth look forward to spring for new babies etc, I find in the pipe band world (especially this year) we're all excited for the fall. A whole lot of newness coming our way.
Best of luck to the upcoming new parents! We're all very excited for you.
Sean
Thursday, August 18, 2011
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
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
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