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Every year I have between five and eight trumpeters play for Baccalaureate and Commencement.  The trumpet fanfares add a regal mood and “air of importance” to the events that not only look and sound nice, but also is a visual boon for the music department. 

Many high schools and colleges have the traditional concert band or wind ensemble play for commencement.  Some areas may have an organ or even a CD (not anyone’s first choice) play.  Regardless of what you may do, it is a relatively easy thing to get a cohort of trumpet players together to do this and it adds a special flavor to the event(s).

My recipe for the trumpeters at our Commencement and Baccalaureate:

First, early on, I stress the importance to the undergraduates of performing for the seniors, creating a seriousness about the importance of the fanfare group.  I talk about how they will appreciate the fanfares when it’s their turn to “walk”.  I also have the advantage of talking about the time-honored tradition of this, as Dr. Edwin Arnold started this over thirty years ago at Grove City College!

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Sound Reinforcement and Jazz: Mustech.net Podcast, E6

Original Air Date: 5/10/2007

Podcasting Site: http://mustech.podomatic.com

Website: http://www.mustech.net

Podcasters: Joseph Pisano and Darren Morton

Episode 6’s Show:

Episode 6 is part one of a two part series that discusses live sound mixing and the Grove City Jazz Ensemble and Stage Bands. In this part, Joseph and Darren talk about what microphones they use and were they place them for miking (is this really a word?) the ensembles.

In this Episode:
Saxophone Miking
Trumpet Miking
Trombone Miking
Drumset Miking
Piano Miking
Bass And Guitar DIs
Monitor Mixes
Dynamic vs. Condenser Mics
The importance of Mixing

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Music provided with permission by Jason Davis:
http://jasondavismusic.com

[tags] music, sound, sound reinforcement, miking, techniques, audio, microphones [/tags]

PLAY IT NOW!

Update (6/1/2007): Hey current and future drum majors, This article is being read dozens of time a day (by people just like you) and there is still no discussion on this article. Please leave us a line, tell us about you, your band -what you experience as a drum major, fears with tryouts etc. We would love to hear from you and have a conversation with you! Let’ start a conversation about this today! Again you can remain anonymous if you would like or provide a link to your band page in the website box at the end of this article! ~J. Pisano
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Lately, MUSicTECHnology.net has been searched a lot for “drum major help” and “drum major advice”. I guess it’s that time of the year! In August of last year, I had a student submit an article about helpful drum major warm-ups and I published it. It was well done, very insightful and will provide another great reference for current drum majors or those seeking to be a drum major.

As a marching band director, conductor and adjudicator, I have specific ideas about what I look for when considering a drum major and what is expected of them throughout the year. I have composed a list of a dozen items that I feel are necessary attributes for a good drum major to have.

Each band director will have their own ideas about what constitutes a good candidate for a drum major or a good drum major. This list is not exhaustive but it does provide a good framework for thought.

There is one pre-requisite that all drum major candidates must have before any of the following is considered and that is a strong desire to actually be a drum major. Some people may have all the qualities listed in this article and more but if they don’t really have the desire to become a drum major then they should not consider it as a matter of practicality.

1. Drum majors must be masters of meter, rhythm and time:
A drum major that does not have a good sense of rhythm and an “internal clock” to keep and provide a tempo is not much use on the field.

2. Drum majors must be clear and concise in their conducting patterns:
A drum major that does not provide a clear ictus and an even takt is doing more harm than good to the ensemble. Clear, large, easily visible patterns are more useful than fancy and ornate ones.

3. Drum majors must be respected by their peers:
A drum major that does not have the respect of their peers will find themselves having a very difficult time being in the leadership role.

4. Drum majors must be respected by their directors:
A person that has not earned the trust and approval of their directors will find themselves not being a drum major in the first place.

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I’ve been pretty busy the last couple of days getting ready for the HUGE jazz concert at Grove City Collge tomorrow.   We are having two ensembles play tomorrow, at 1:30 p.m., at the Pew Fine Arts Center in Grove City, PA.

I thought I would let you know how we do things for a concert(s).  In addition to the intense jazz music, the concerts are a large theatrical production.  We include lights (sometimes motion, sometimes l.e.d.), a large sound reinforcement system and a great concert set, complete with jazz fronts (see the picture above).

Fortunately and unfortunately, I am responsible for both the ensembles and the theatrical production itself which can make things pretty hectic leading up to the show.    However, I do have a lot of qualified technicians to help me put it all together and it always comes off amazing!

The lights:

1 ground row of 12-15 fresnels, 3 colors, pointing up and out into the audience.  These are programmed for sequenced effects.

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