Posted on Tuesday June 26th, 2007 at 3:34 PM (June 26th, 2007)
We're a little slow in the blog because Matthew has to have his blog reviewed by the Boston Crusaders' staff. He assures us that we will be caught up soon.... Hope you all enjoyed seeing Matthew marching with the Crusaders at Drums Along The Mohawk on July 1 at RFA!!
June 26
Hello Everyone,
Matthew Bauer here with another update on the corps' progression. First of all, I'm excited right now because the percussion section is at the laundromat. For those of you that have never marched drum corps, doing laundry is like winning the lottery! Well sort of... The buildup of dirty socks, shirts, underwear, etc. can get quite overwhelming between the sweaty rehearsals and rainy weather. The corps typically does laundry every two weeks almost to the day. You might think that we have to have a lot of clothes for the 2 1/2 months of tour. Actually, there is a corps tour survival guide which covers all aspects of everyday life and as far as the amount of clothes to bring: only a few shirts and shorts, a pair or two of pants, some sweats and underwear and socks are needed. Almost every summer we come home with more clothes than we start with. These are the random clothes one can find, or there are clothes that the corps sell as souvenirs. Anyways, most people in the corps were hanging on by the last set of clothes (literally) and we had the opportunity this morning to wake up and get bused to 3 various places, wash our clothes and stock up on any last minute supplies before tour. At the New Hampton school there are short buses for transportation of students and some of the corps staff became certified to drive the members around. Our front ensemble instructor drove us about 10 minutes. north of New Hampton to a quaint town set amidst the lakes and forests. There was a little strip plaza with stores and small eateries.
As far as rehearsals and overall show progression things have been falling into place and BOSTON is sailing forward. Moor and more of La Fiesta is being pieced together. Just the other night we did a full run in the schools gym house because the rain was on and off. The brass line is incorporating incredible visual movements throughout the program and the drumline is ramming more notes than one can fathom. The 2007 drumline and the whole corps is pushing beyond last year's standards and excellence. The front ensemble designer, Jerry Carpenter, will be flying into New Hampshire today to continue arranging the last part of La Fiesta and working with us all summer on the road. So far the move-in process has gone quite well and the summer tour is only a few days away. It's an exciting time for the corps because we are just about completed with the show and our first uniform performance is tomorrow evening. For the last 3 years that BOSTON has been in New Hampton, typically near the end of move-in is a performance for the town, fans, alumni and any family (Boston is not that far away). In a few days, the corps will perform for the alumni at the annual Spring Fling which is also a fundraiser and in a few parades in the Boston area. The corps only has a little more that a week before the first official competition of the summer. Come and support the BOSTON CRUSADERS and other corps this summer. See you on the road!
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Posted on Thursday June 14th, 2007 at 9:24 AM (June 14th, 2007)
DAY 10
HELLO EVERYONE!
Here is another move-in update! The drum corps is in a "wet" situation There seems to be a cloud just hanging over New Hampton and pouring rain on it!! This "rain" (which I cannot speak out loud because it is superstitious) is preventing full ensemble rehearsals outside. I think our weather situation is due to the fact of tropical storms. This may be actually be a rumor because we don't get any news about the world unless it's life threatening All this "rain" has caused limited time outside because drill and some guard work needs outdoor space to be taught. WE also have to stay warm and dry because any poor healh problems can negatively impact the corps.
Yes, it is June 4 and I saw my breath this morning at breakfast! The corps Director, Mr. Weinstein strategically plans out the day according to the weather and makes sure there is time to be inside or outside (even if it's "raining"). Our equipment in the front ensemble is extremely sensitive and it could be dangerous if it got wet. So, the front ensemble moves inside or outside or for cover if "rain" clouds are approaching! If the equipment gets wet, the "rain" could damage the rosewood marimbas and also ruin our sound system. The Boston Crusaders 2007 front ensemble is very fortunate this year to have new microphones and speakers. The electronics will fill in any stadium with great sounds. The front ensemble does have a protocal when it "rains". Our great teamwork in the corps helps expedite our moving of equipment.
On a positive note away from "rain".... more and more of the show is coming together. The brass has been working on the drill and music to the closing production. The drumline has just received a small segment of the closer and so has the front ensemble The music book for the pit this year portrays the emotions of the four pieces quite well. Jerry Carpenter has been the front ensemble arranger since 2002 and this year is one of the most technically and musically difficult to play. The closer, La Fiesta, is one incredible workout but I'm sure the audience will enjoy the wonderfully scored music. The positve aspect for being inside is that the pit can spend more time individually or as a section to learn new music.
Day 11
The corps woke up this morning and we expected more "rain"(still can't "say" that word out loud). Instead, today was a beautiful sunny morning in the hills of New Hampton. It's kind of difficult to push the equipment after 3 days of not moving!! After a successful morning warm-up, the pit had to move to one of the side rehearsal fields. There is a rather large hill leading down to the fields. It is quite an adventure when moving up and down. The New Hampton School is gracious for allowing the use of a Gator ATV and trailer to help move timpani, chimes, bass drums and other gear. Needless to say, that is a lot of weight towed behind an ATV! Sometimes it's scary to ride down hills holding equipment in place, but it's still fun!
After finally setting up for rehearsal, it started "raining" again!! Luckily, we own a few large tarps and we pushed all the instruments together to cover them. And then, 5 min later the sun was out and it was hot! Only 30 minutes into ensemble, the clouds started rolling in again. We made a very quick move back to the school and a large storm just dropped as everyone made it inside. For the rest of the evening, the corps split up and worked on different aspects of the show. Some of us worked individually on technique while others worked on learning new music.
Recently I was interviewed by a reporter from the Rome Sentinel. She asked what was the "worst part of drum corps?" I believe I answered, "when it "rained"!..............Blue skies to be???
Matthew signing off.....stay tuned!
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Posted on Sunday June 10th, 2007 at 10:23 AM (June 10th, 2007)
HELLO EVERYONE!
Our move in process is going very well. The progress made by the brass, percussion and color guard within the last four days is AMAZING especially for this early in spring training. The brass line has learned their drill for the first three pieces. The drumline is right behind, learning the drill and new music. The percussion section looks to be the best in the 67 years of the corps! The percussion training program has made a stellar beginning for 2007! The color guard is under the direction of Michael Shapiro, who is quite renown in the guard activity.The use of their many props this year mixed with high velocity dancing and hard work will most certainly add to the visual aspect of the show.
The weather here in New Hampton is cooperating very well and is allowing the corps to stay outside all day until the sun goes down. On another positive note, all the members are excited and make the ensemble rehearsals fun and fast with great energy, drive and a strong passion. The 2007 Boston Crusaders are having a great time putting together a program that is fun and challenging to perform but is very accessible to the audience. This show will capture the listener and play with their emotions. I feel this because learning the new segment of the show makes me love performing more and more and wanting the audience to feel what I'm experiencing
Michael Miller, my good friend from New Hartford and one of Boston's drum majors, says "this year's corps has great synergy between the members on the field". He feels that at the end of the summer there will many long lasting friendships in the this corps.
Over the next few days, the brass will begin to piece the closing segment of the show together and so will the percussion. The front ensemble has been breaking down many musical concepts to create better uniformity with the technique. By doing this, it helps portray the show music at high performance levels with strong ensemble skills. The corps has been strong in ensemble rehearsals. We put three pieces on the field and most with drill. It is a very exciting time as we learn more and more each day about ourselves, each other and the show.
Oh, by the way, the food they feed the corps is incredible! It is always something new and they make sure that we are well fed. There are about 4+ meals a day which gives us fuel to do what we do on the field. Each day proves promising to an awesome product. You will remember Boston 2007 for many years to come.
Matthew signing off...... stay tuned!
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Posted on Sunday June 10th, 2007 at 12:10 AM (June 10th, 2007)
" THE ADVENTURE BEGINS" May 26,2007
DAY 1
HELLO EVERYONE!
My name is Matthew Bauer and this is my second year and my age year with the Boson Crusaders. I would like to thank the staff of Drum Along the Mohawk and Dave Streeter of WKTV for allowing YOU the fan and follower to join me on the adventures and every day life of drum corps. This is my first actual form of "blogging" so hopefully the prose is proper!
Today is the first official day that the corps has come together. We first functioned as a corps at 6pm today. Earlier in the day, members were flying in from Florida, other states, other countries or just driving in. Fortunately, I live in the central New York area so a car drive is just a few hours. My mother drove with me into New Hampton, New Hampshire. This quaint little town is nestled deep in the hills and lakes of the central part of the state. The Boston Crusaders are very fortunate to have secured such an excellent rehearsal facility at the New Hampton School. We use the massive field house for sleeping and rehearsals. There are a few fields and an outdoor ice ring (minus the ice!) which we use as well. Within 10 minutes of arriving, I was put to work unloading many boxes of NEW percussion instruments. The drumline has all new drums and the front ensemble has all new marimbas, vibraphones, xylophones, bells and many other little accessories. It took a few hours to assemble the instruments and pack up the old. We are grateful to have Pearl/Adams instruments because their quality is superior.
During the corps meeting, our Director, Howard Weinstein, discussed what we needed to do as individuals and an ensemble to fuel us into the next couple of weeks. Each member introduced themselves with name, home, instrument etc. These 134 people are now slowly becoming a second family. We all eat, sleep, shower, rehearse, sweat and LOVE THIS ACTIVITY--Together!
This is just the beginning......
Matthew signing off.... stay tuned!
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