Rehearsal - 5/19

We will be having rehearsal this evening from 7:00 – 8:30PM at George Washington Middle School. GWMS is located at 1005 Mount Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia, directly west of the Braddock Road Metro Station. Rehearsal will be behind the school in the parking lot. Please be on time as we have a lot of work to do to get ready for our first Performance at Pride.

Weather:
Weather tonight should be in the mid-60’s and breezy. We will be outside to please plan so dress accordingly.

Schedule:

7:00-7:25: Sectionals (Percussion; Brass & Woodwind;
Guard)
7:25-7:50: Ensemble Music Rehearsal/Guard
Sectional
7:50-8:00: Break
8:00-8:30: Marching Rehearsal

New Music:
We have our final list of new music that we will be reading through tonight. After tonight, we will set our show-book for the season. The new music that we will read tonight: Big Noise from Winnetka; Blues in the Night; Theme from Dragnet; Jump (Van Halen); Land of Make Believe; Manhattan Beach; Rawhide.

Information Sheets:
Beginning tonight, I will have a folder with sign-in sheets; a calendar of events; and a “needs” page. Please sign-in tonight so that we can keep an updated roster. If you CAN NOT attend an event/rehearsal, please put your name next to the event on the calendar page. And if you “need” anything (copies of music, etc.) please put that on the needs-page.

After Rehearsal:
We will again be going to Freddies for 1/2 price appitizers and some band-bonding time. Please plan to attend if you can and cash payment will be appreciated.

Thank you for your participation and I look forward to seeing everyone tonight.

In case of rain...

As many of you know, the forecast for today is rain into tonight. I just wanted to remind you that in the event of rain this evening, we will be in the cafeteria of GWMS in Alexandria.

Hope for an end to the rain, but if not, be ready to play!

May 12 Rehearsal Details

Our first Full Ensemble rehearsal will be held on Monday, May 12 from 7:00-8:30PM. This rehearsal will be held at George Washington Middle School located at 1005 Mount Vernon Ave in Alexandria. GWMS is located just west of the Braddock Road Metro Station and we will be rehearsing in the parking lot behind the school. In the event of rain, we will be in the cafeteria.

Schedule for this week:*

7:00 – 7:10: Warm-ups
7:10 – 7:50: Music Rehearsal/Guard Rehearsal
7:50 – 8:00: Break
8:00 – 8:30: Marching Drills

*All times are subject to change.

Please wear comfortable clothing and sneakers that are weather appropriate – and don’t forget the sun screen! We will have water and access to restrooms at the school. Please make every effort to be on-time and ready to go.

After rehearsal, we will go to Freddie’s Beach Bar in Crystal City for dinner (1/2 price appetizers), drinks and band-bonding time.

If you have any questions, please email me at marching@dcdd.org or visit www.dcdd.org where you can link to the blog , the group calendar listing upcoming rehearsal and performance dates, as well as other wonderful information.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Monday evening.

May 12 Full Ensemble Rehearsal

Our next rehearsal will be held on Monday, May 12th at from 7:00 – 8:30PM. This rehearsal will be held at George Washington Middle School in Alexandria, VA in the back parking lot. GWMS is located at 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue near the Braddock Road Metro Station. If you marched last year, this is the same location as we had rehearsal last year in Alexandria.

I have added a map to this post for further reference.

What to Expect at Rehearsal on Monday, May 5th

Please note that this rehearsal is only for Brass, Woodwind and Percussionists
We will be rehearsing in the basement of Reformation. Rehearsal will begin at 7:00PM and start up with some scale warm-ups and then begin sight-reading. We will be sitting for this rehearsal, so if you don’t have your lyre, bring your music stand.

Music we will be reading:

Secret Agent Man

Mission: Impossible Theme

The Pink Panther

The Star Spangled Banner

This Could Be the Start of Something Big

The Time Warp

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Bang the Drum All Day (I Don’t Want to Work)

Land of Make Believe

Macho Man

If we still have time left, we may put up the chairs and do a little bit of marching basics (horns up, horns down, etc.)

After rehearsal, those who would like to go to a late dinner will be going Mr. Henry’s, so if you like, please plan accordingly.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday evening! And if things don't run as smoothly as we would like, please be patient.

This Could Be the Start of Something Big!

I’ve spoken to a few of you asking for suggestions for a theme-song for DCDD Marching Band this year. I’ve heard everything from “We Will Rock You” to “We Like to Party”, but I have decided to kick it back to old-old school!

This Could Be the Start of Something Big by Steve Allen has been covered by just about everyone in the 60’s & 70’s. I’m posting a link to a YouTube video of Bobby Darin singing the song, if you aren’t familiar. I have gotten a marching band arrangement that we’ll be playing this year and I’m posting the lyrics below – hint: try to memorize them ASAP.

You’re walking along the street or you’re at a party
Or else you’re alone and then you suddenly dig
You’re looking in someone’s eyes, you suddenly realize
This could be the start of something big!