Know Your Brigade Staff

     As another season gets underway - our many Brigade "rookies" will be learning how to do things the "Brigade Way".  This year we also have a "rookie" staff member - although he is certainly no stranger to Brigade.  I will be publishing posts every other week or so (in addition to my normal director blogs) about our amazing staff members.  This should prove to be a great way for members and parents to get to know our staff a little better.  I thought that starting out with our new staff member would be a terrific way to get the ball rolling!

Brigade Staff Member Q & A - Mike Kowbel

Name: Mike Kowbel

Staff Positions: Music and Visual Technician

Number of Years On Staff: First Year

Marching Experience: Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2008) and Lighthouse Brigade of Racine (2005-2007)

College: Freshman at UW-Stevens Point - Music Education

Main Instrument: Trumpet

Home Town: Racine

Birthday: October 7th, 1989

Favorite Food: Barbecue

Top Five Favorite Movies: (1) Braveheart  (2) Gladiator  (3) The Notebook (yes, I like "The Notebook"!!)  (4) Tommy Boy  (5) Land Before Time (the first one....the only good one!!)

Favorite TV Shows:  Planet Earth series, Family Guy, The Office

Book Currently Reading: The Bible

Currently playing on my iPod: DRUM CORPS!!

Favorite Sports Team:  Packers

Favorite Pig Out Food: Barbecue

Dream Vacation: Anywhere tropical

Worst Habit:  The Cricket Noise....if you don't know - just ask me!!

Hidden Talent: Able to make lots of weird noises

Famous Person I Have Met: Wynton Marsalis

Famous Person I would like to Meet:  Sean Connery

Favorite Quote: "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Favorite Actor: Mel Gibson

Favorite Actress: Angelina Jolie

Favorite Disney ride: Probably the safari....but after I go on the new Mountain roller coaster thing they just built - I bet it will be that!

My own personal thoughts on Brigade: Brigade shaped my life.  It gave me the chance to experience a whole new level of performance.  It is one of the main reasons why I want to be a music educator in the future.  I wouldn't have the deep passion for drum corps that I do if it weren't for Brigade.  It is an amazing organization that caters to all a student needs in a summer: friendship, performance, the sun, Disney World, air, water (lots of water!!), being active, and great food from the Boosters!!!  I love Brigade and that is why I'm so fired up to be teaching this summer!!

2009 Brigade Season Set To Begin!!

     The start of the 2009 Lighthouse Brigade season is right around the corner!  Our recruitment night is Thursday, February 5th at 7:00pm in the Gifford Elementary School Auditorium.  Parents AND students are expected to attend!  There will be a lot of information given out at this meeting and it is also a great opportunity for veteran members to see everyone again.  For our new members, this is a great chance to start making new friends.  New parents will have a chance to ask some of the many questions I am sure many of them have about Brigade and what the season will bring.  I look forward to seeing a large turnout!

     The first camp is Saturday, February 7th (9:00am - 5:00pm) and Sunday, February 8th (1:00pm - 6:00pm).  For off-season camps - all members should bring:

- bag lunch for Saturday

- comfortable clothes (we will be marching - sweats/warm-ups and athletic shoes work best)

- water/snacks

- instrument (if you will be playing a Brigade instrument - don't forget your mouthpiece, valve oil, drum sticks, etc.)

- pencil

- binder w/plastic sheet protectors

- positive attitude (we are going to have lots of fun.....and we are going to work really hard!!)

     Please check out the Brigade website for more information and schedules.  Bring a friend to this camp!  Also - if you know in advance you will be unable to be at a camp - PLEASE contact Rex and let him know.  This season is going to be amazing!  The music is fantastic, the staff is going to be awesome to work with, our MACBDA tour should be very competitive and - best of all - we are going to Disney World!!  

- Rex out