It was so much fun to see such a great turnout for the DVD party! I really liked having it at Charcoal Grill. No offense to Gifford - but all RUSD schools turn off the heat during the weekends to save money - so in past years the auditorium has always been freezing cold, the sound system is very muddled, and you can't have any food or beverages. I was happy with the food choices and I thought the sound was pretty clear. Maybe the actual screen could be a little bigger - but all in all I thought the night was a whole lot of fun!
I would like to thank Paul Ruffolo for all of the work he did for this project. There are a million little touches he adds to the DVD that most people won't even notice......but take it from someone who was there every step of the way - I notice all of them and I am so lucky to have someone like Paul to help me with this HUGE project. I met Paul when I was a young (right out of drum corps) instructor and he was a senior marching member of the Band of the Black Watch from Kenosha. He "gets" what marching band is all about and I really think that shows up time and time again on the season DVD's.
It was also great to have my big brother, Gene, in attendance. For those of you who may not know - he is the designer and webmaster of our Brigade website. He lives in the L.A. area and usually visits in September so it was a real treat for him to be able to experience the DVD party in person. Gene and I will be updating the Brigade website as well as adding some new features such as the alumni directory. I count my lucky stars that I have Paul and Gene as resources for Lighthouse Brigade. Much like my world class staff who bring the members to such high levels of performance each year, these creative people make the Brigade extra special.
The 2009 Field show production is now up on the member's page and on the latest brigade news page and I will also put it here:
"Legacy - The Music of John Barnes Chance"
Music selections:
Incantation And Dance
Variations On A Korean Folk Song
This show will feature the music of one of the most important composers to ever write for school concert bands. In the mid 1960's he was digging a trench in his back yard when he struck a live wire and was killed, leaving a legacy of some amazing music. I have wanted to do this show for a number of years, now and our 30th anniversary year is a great time to do it. The "Legacy" in the title of the show also references former marching member Matt LaBelle who passed away due to cancer in the 1980's. Mr. Donald Young, band director at Horlick High School, was selected by the Lighthouse Brigade to compose a song dedicated to his memory and Mr. Young entitled it, "Legacy".
Plans are well underway for the 2009 season. I am looking at starting at the end of January. I'll post more information as I go.
- Rex out
