Posted August 26, 2007
UPDATE..........
From Tom Kittinger

Thanks to ALL who attended today's rehearsal.....................it was GREAT to be back, making "good" drum corps music once again!  A special thanks to Rick Anderson for his horn line instruction today in Brian's absence.  Here's also hoping Brian is feeling much better................for those of you who don't know, Brian had a bout with a migrane headache yesterday at the Posie Pfaff Memorial Golf outing, and also dehydration.  He ended up in the hospital for a short time, and is now recovering at home.  Take care, Brian, and we hope you're back to normal very soon.

We welcomed Dave Abel to our Baritone section today, and also helped Wes Hare celebrate his "big 5-0" birthday a day early.......................I also understand that Jim Fawber experienced the same "fate" on Friday of this past week.  Welcome aboard, Dave, and congratulations to BOTH Jim and Wes.

Our "recruitment package" letters have been sent to the band directors of the Adams County high schools, and will be sent to the York County high schools this coming week.   If you forget what this package entails, here is a brief synopsis:

1. We are asking to set-up a table w/Lancer promos at their "home" band competitions, OR to meet with their band boosters organization to discuss recruitment of 25 - 40 year-olds

2. A brochure of Lancers facts, contacts, etc. is being created to pass-out

3. We are offering to "entertain" the audience (at one, or two) PRIOR-TO the start of the actual competition, ending with the "National Anthem."  (in this manner, all of us will have completed our obligation by no later than 6:30pm, leaving the remainder of the Saturday evening to ourselves)

4. Although we won't be performing for the high school "banders," we will be reaching the age group that we are interested in acquiring in our ranks 

5. Any high schools that respond favorably to our "info-table," we will be in need of TWO members that are willing to set-up, confront those passing by, answering questions regarding the corps and handing out the brochures.................this would be done an hour and a half or so BEFORE the competition's start-time.

 

We'll inform you of the schools that wouldn't mind us doing this, and you can choose whichever one you may be interested in, or the one closest to your home.  IT IS OUR HOPE WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH OF YOU INTERESTED SO NO ONE WILL BE NEEDED FOR MORE THAN ONE COMPETITION!!!

 

Information regarding this will be sent out as soon as I have responses.

 

Bob Zarfoss informed the corps of some pretty exciting possibilities that stemmed from our performance for the Air Force Alumni in June.  Some of the AF Alumni informed Dick Burns, the horn arranger and instructor for the Blessed Sacrament for 30-years, and now working with the Florida Brass, of the Lancers horn players, and the corps in general.  He has offered his services to do some arrangements for the Lancers, AT NO CHARGE, and perhaps even be willing to attend a rehearsal, or two (if we pay his airfare) to help with the instruction of his arrangements.  Both Brian and Rick think this is a fabulous idea, and an opportunity to expand our musical repertoire, and style.  There is even an "outside" possibility that some members of the Florida Brass, or Blessed Sacrament Alumni, could possibly join us at some point in the future, assuming we will be working on some of the same arrangements.  (this would most likely happen at an indoor venue, such as the Forum, or others)  Both of these possibilities are pretty exciting for the Lancers, and a tribute to our instructors, Brian and Bob, for the incredible job they have done with us.  When "outsiders" that KNOW SOMETHING about drum corps are impressed with our capabilities and sound, that should make ALL of us very proud of what we do!!

 

It is possible that some of these arrangements could be in our hands as early as our next rehearsal, so do your best to make yourself available for our final few rehearsals of the 2007 season.  (September/October)  In addition, if Dick would plan on being here to see how we are doing, it would be imperative that we have a GREAT turn-out that has already become familiar with the arrangement.  BOTTOM LINE......................DO YOUR BEST TO MAKE OUR FINAL REHEARSALS OF THIS SEASON, AND THE 2008 SEASON!!

 

Congratulations to ALL of you that did the Wyndham performance and for the lasting impression you made on everyone there!!  I think it is fair to say that you elevated the "Lancer Pride" a  notch or two!

 

FOR YOUR CALENDARS:

 

Millersville Community/University Parade - Saturday, October 13th, 9:00am

 

York Halloween Parade - Sunday, October 28th, 2:00pm

 

G-burg H.S. Band-A-Rama - Thursday, November 1st, 7:00 (?)  (this one is now "official")

 

(we may decide on an exhibition at a H.S. Band Competition if invited according to the recruitment package, but no decision will be made without getting your input, first....................after all, it would be detrimental to our cause with only 16 horns)

 

Our next rehearsal is Sunday, September 9th at 2:00pm.  See you there!

 

Have a good two weeks!