Mini - Camp Report

The 2008 Lighthouse brigade took a huge step forward this past weekend during the mini - camp at Gifford Elementary School and I would like to post a report.

But first, I would like to congratulate all of the members for their terrific parent concert and an awesome performance in the Memorial Day parade and veteran's ceremony. I thought this year's edition of Brigade put on one of the stronger performances I have seen in recent years! As always, we all stop by the grave of Matt LaBelle - a former marching member from the early days who died of cancer in 1987. We award the annual Matt LaBelle scholarship award to one senior each year. I don't know if anyone else realized this - but Matt LaBelle's parents were behind us as I was talking to the members about his life. It is truly an honor to keep his memory and legacy alive and I sincerely hope that the words I spoke about him did justice to someone who is a very important part of Brigade history and tradition.

We got a lot accomplished during mini - camp. We are up to drill chart #17 and I pretty much only have to re-write one chart before our next rehearsal (sorry, mellophones!!). I'll be pretty busy the next few weeks finishing up the show. The members worked really hard and we let them know that mini - camp is basically a rehearsal for band camp (which is where the REAL work begins!!). As a staff, we will be turning up the heat a little bit each day and expecting more and more from our members. We want to get the drill taught and finished so that we can start to clean and add cool horn moves, body movement, and other exciting things to our show. Members should remember to bring their thinking caps - because it is going to be intense!

All members were given the first "turn - out" sheet of the season. I will be doing these informational sheets about once a week and they will include all dates, times, and locations of all of our rehearsals and shows. For band camp - all members will need to bring:

* Hat (ALL heads WILL be covered whenever we are outside. NO exceptions)

* "Dot" book

* proper shoes (no bare feet or sandals are allowed)

* Sunscreen (a MUST!!!)

* Aloe vera gel (when the sunscreen doesn't work) :)

* WATER!!!!!

* Drill charts/binder/music

* Positive attitude and work ethic (this means cutting down on the talking, working really hard, memorizing music, and everything else it takes to be a positive member of the Lighthouse Brigade).

That's all for now - everything is looking great in Brigadeland and I am really looking forward to starting band camp and the season - it's gonna be a great one!!