Behind The Music A BIG success!

The first ever "Behind The Music" event was a BIG success! Our two-day elementary school "reach-out" camp drew 26 kids in grades K-5 to Jerome HS, ending in a performance at the baskteball game on November 30th with the Ambush of Tigers. Thanks to all the students and parents who were so instrumental in making this such a great event!

LIFESPAN update

With the week off from summer school, I have the drill entirely on the computer ready for the Ambush and the visual design ready to share with the color guard in July... We're still waiting on a couple of equipment issues (specifically the keyboard and costuming for the boy and girl) but we're in great shape for marching and field show camps!

2012 show ideas

So here's the current plan - I'm putting together THREE show possibilities for 2012, and if I can manage to get them all put on paper by then we'll read them all in November for the Indoor Marching Extravaganza! I'm still arranging a "Wizard Of OZ meets The WIZ meets WICKED" show, but I'm also working on Phantom of the Opera and the Broadway hit City Of Angels. Ideally, you'll get to play all three in some form and we can make our long-range decisions then!

2012 show ideas

For the 2012 field show, we've been talking about combining "The Wizard Of Oz", "The Wiz", and "Wicked" into one storyline-theme show...well, guess what the big new commercial shows are this year? Yup, you guessed it.

So... do you still want me to go with something like that - because I guarantee I cam make it distinctive from the commercial shows! - or would you like me to pursue a completely different theme? As I type this, I'm looking through possibilities like "Miss Saigon", "Tommy", and the broadway jazz show "City Of Angels". Vote now, please!

Marching season update

Just a few notes... Mr. Smith has finished the music and the drill sketches for "LIFESPAN: the story of a girl and boy in love", and is starting the part printing, set-by-set, and choreography for the 2011 show.

...Waiting for the football schedule to be finalized, but as of now we're planning on three Idaho competitions: the new Jerome USSBA show on Sept. 24, Caldwell's USSBA show on Oct. 1 (tentative date), and Pocatello on Oct. 15th. If the current edition of the football schedule holds and the weekend of Oct. 8th is free, we'll be looking at our out-of-state competition on that date.

...Talked with both Minico and Wendell's directors about the possibility of combining with them for a larger parade band for a more significant parade than the ones we've participated in previously. Both directors were initially positive but of course want to talk with their constituents.

...Also visited with the directors in Gooding and Shoshone about the idea of letting their handful of students dual-enroll in the marching program so they have a large-group experience.

Puget Sound 2012

Give us your input as we plan our next major tour, the SEATTLE 2012 trip!

Tentatively scheduled for spring break of next school year (March 2012), the Ambush of Tigers and the JHS Choral program are jointly travelling to the Pacific Northwest! Here are some of the things we're looking at in the early stages of preparation...

* "Plan A" goes up to Seattle and then across the border into Canada to perform in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. HOWEVER, this would require passports, currently running $90-100 per person. Is the cost worth it?

* "Plan B" would still go to Seattle but would also include the Portland region - downtown Portland and the Oregon Coast (Astoria, Seaside, and/or Fort Clatsop, for example). No passport required.

Motels? Gym floors? Combination?

What's the cost limit per traveller? What would be the ONE thing you'd want to make sure we did on this tour? NOW is the time to let us know! READ the poll questions and VOTE!

Pot Luck on Saturday!

Hey, don't forget the POT LUCK PICNIC this Saturday at Candlelight Park (south end of Davis) - 6 pm - Bring the whole family!
COLOR GUARD - please bring the paper goods (plates, plastic utensils, cups, napkins)
FLUTES, F HORNS, LOW BRASS - Side dish
CLARINETS - dessert
SAXES - salad
DRUM LINE - chips
TRUMPETS, PIT - drinks

We want this to be a bonding experience for not just members but Ambush families as well! Please make an effort to join us for food, games, and cameraderie!

simplicity changes

When you come back to the high school on the 23rd, Ambush, I'll have a few minor changes to the music for you (assuming we get a working printer before then!). Flutes, the high D in measure 44 of the opener has been replaced with eighth notes... low brass, new stuff in m. 49-52 of the opener, too.

The drill has been revised, and I'm more pleased with the finished product. Had to completely reconstruct it after losing the original on a broken flash drive, but with the skill set you developed in marching camp I was able to add some pizzazz to the opener and third song's drill work that I think you'll like.

Thank you, JR and Kim Clark!

All those great car washes the Music Boosters put on all summer were thanks to the Clarks and all the wonderful helpers - parents, students, customers, and the community who supports the efforts of the Jerome HS Ambush of Tigers Marching Unit. Today was our last fundraiser of the summer - all registration fees are due on August 23-24 when you sign up for high school classes!