Author:
Pat Ryan
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Date Posted: 14:12:01 05/06/02 Mon
Well, as already mentioned, the results weren't that great. To correct a little inacuracy - we beat Inis Fada, not Rosin Dubh. Still counts as a local band with Grade IV experience. Although we took 8th overall out of 9, I think everyone should be proud of their performances. There was some concern as to whether or not we'd be ready, but I think - as Frank said - we didn't see anything on the score sheets we didn't already know, and we were ready.
I WILL say that there was NOT a lot of mention of note mistakes, and the primary problem was tuning and tempos - EASILY fixable. What that says to me is that we all know the tunes, but we're just not playing them together.... I think once we get the tempos in a manageable spot, we'll be in much better shape.
The next two contests are for the March Setting. Be prepared to come down Wednesday to work on those four tunes (Okay Snoop - you may not have to) - if you don't know them, they are Mairie's Wedding, Green Hills of Tyrol, When the Battle's O'er, and Roddy McCorley. I think we'll have about 12 pipes for those two contests, so if we can get the tuning spot on, we should be able to do well.
My only concerns about the March contests are the Bass and Tenor section. I REALLY think we need to get a Tenor instructor down ASAP, but I can’t necessarily identify one. I don't know ANYTHING about tenor drumming, and I think - in order for the tenor drummers to productive and add to the ensemble score - we need someone to show them the way. And I believe we need a Bass Drummer (surprise!) becuase Cutch is playing in the pipe section for the March contests. Any thoughts?
Last – but certainly not least – I would like to see about getting a Piping instructor for the contest band. NOT SEAMUS! And not necessarily on a regular basis. What I’m thinking, and I’ve discussed it with Snoop, is getting Chris Hamilton from City of Washington, or John Wassman from Monahan down to give us a workshop – maybe on a weekend morning… I’d like to get everyone’s feedback on this.
I think if we focus on the March sets on Wednesday nights, and keep the Medley set fresh with a Weekend practice every other weekend until Mid July (more frequently thereafter), we’ll be on schedule to have a great performance at Hunter and still do well at Bonnie Brae and Rockland. And I’d like to get that instructor – whoever it may be – down at least 3 times between now and Hunter. I haven’t looked into cost – but I think, for the betterment of the band and in light of recent developments, we should seriously consider it.
I also want to congratulate Jack Rush, Damien, Frank, and Tara on their first contest with us. A little nerve- racking, a little lengthy, but you all did a great job and have added so much to the direction and future of the band. And the 4:40 step-off time for competition probably didn’t help much either…. Oh, and thanks for the tent, Tara (no NASCAR signs, in case anyone was curious).
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