| Subject: Re: Results.... and stuff.... |
Author:
Frank Riggio
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Date Posted: 15:06:00 05/06/02 Mon
In reply to:
Pat Ryan
's message, "Results.... and stuff...." on 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.
Inis Fada, Rosen Whatever, Saffron, hard to tell which is which, except for the one in the XXXXXL kilt. Saturday we beat one of them guys. Next time we beat ALL those guys.
>
>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 tempos were definately quicker on the field than when we were rehearsing. This is a significant area for us to work on. Working the pipes and drums together to a metronome might help.
>
>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?
Pat, I ran into a fellow "Old-timer" at the games Saturday that may be a help for the Tenor / Bass instructor thing. Bob Costigan is not playing for any bands these days, his back is giving him problems, but he is instructing. He is also an award winning Bass & Tenor player. I think he lives in Long Beach, I have a phone number for him as: (516) 432-6865. Bob was the bass drummer for Inis Fada back when they really were somebody. He may even know of sombody who can play for us. The other alternative is Kevin Shannon. He also, is a very good Tenor / Bass player instructor. I would have to hunt around a little to come up with a number for him.
>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.
Pat, I understand that there is this "new guy" out in Arizona or some place that is pretty good. Wonder if we could convince him to fly in once or twice for the same type of workshop idea. If he is too busy then the other guys will have to do. If you need a practice location (i.e. the Armories) let me know and I'll set it up. An "outside ear" is usually a good thing to help get a band moving to another level. Or past a road block.
>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.
Great point Pat, I still have not really played the "Marches Set" with you guys all the way through.
>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).
Thanks Pat, but the credit is really due Tara, Jack, and Damien. I'm supposed to be able to hold my own at these things. These folks really didn't have a lot of time to work on the set, but they did great things with the time that they did have. Well Done folks. Some bands play the same sets for years. They all worked very hard to get ready and I agree that the band is surely going to be scoring significantly better in the near future as a result of their presence and the entire bands dedication. Glad to be able to do whatever I can (only I really can't play a bass drum too good.) See ya Wednesday.
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