Know Your Brigade Staff

     My next installment of "Know Your Brigade Staff" will feature our visual caption head - Brian Braatz.  Brian first became involved in 2004 and has been a fantastic addition to the staff.  Through his efforts we have won many high visual trophies and have become known around MACBDA as a group with very strong marching technique.  Brian got married last year and was unable to be with us in 2008 and I am really happy to have him back on board with us for this season!  I am sure that many of our veteran members will agree with me that Brian at one time had the funniest ring-tone on the planet!  Now, on to my Q & A with Brian:

Name:  Brian Braatz

Position:  Visual Caption Head

Number of Years on Staff:  5

Marching Experience:  Madison Junior Scouts (1 year), Capital Sound (6 years), Madison Scouts (3 years), UW-Whitewater Marching Band (6 years - 2 as drum major)

Current Job:  Accounts Payable Department in the national office of Brookdale Senior Living

College/Degree:  Instrumental Music Education - UW-Whitewater

Main Instrument:  Trumpet

Home Town:  Morristown, WI

Birthday:  May 28th  1982

Favorite Food:  Chipotle Burrito

Top Five Favorite Movies:  Casino Royale, Bourne Trilogy, Ocean's 11 Trilogy

Favorite TV Shows:  King of Queens, nearly everything on HGTV, Man vs. Wild

Book you are currently reading:  "Feeling and Form" by Suzanne Langer

What song is currently playing on your iPod:  "Happy" by Natasha Bedingfield

Favorite Sports Team:  Badgers

Favorite Pig-Out Food:  Cool Ranch Doritos

Dream Vacation:  Greece

Worst Habit:  Not shaving

Hidden Talent You Have:  I love dancing - contemporary, ballet, tap - though my technique is undoubtedly rusty

Famous person you have met:  My great grandfather taught Charles Linbergh how to weld

Famous Person You Would Like To Meet:  Dave Ramsey - radio talk show host on life and money

Favorite Quote:  "Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion." - Martha Graham

Favorite Actor:  Matt Damon

Favorite Actress:  Anne Hatheway

Favorite Ride at Disney:  Splash Mountain

Add you own personal thoughts about the Lighthouse Brigade:  I'm continuing to be impressed by this organization and the students who put so much effort into such a wonderful product.  In many ways I think winter camps and six weeks in summer is more educationally and socially developing than 36 weeks of school.  I'm so glad that there is an administration and a parent group so supportive that this activity can continue, yea even thrive, in a climate that looks left and right for ways to cut costs.  That members, volunteers and staff regularly devote 100% to Brigade is truly praiseworthy.

Camp Update

     After finishing the second winter camp of the 2009 season I am happy to say that everything is going great in Brigade Land!!  Once again, the attitude and work ethic of the members has been outstanding and the staff and I are very excited about this group!  The sky really is the limit this year - especially with our numbers and talent so strong in ALL sections of the Brigade!  It has been a few years since I have been able to say that and even though it was only the second camp, it kind of felt like we were much later in the season with how much work we got done and how good we already sound!  Can you tell I am just a little bit excited this year??!!  For example - the horn line and battery already got together to begin rehearsing the opener and I can't remember doing this so soon in the season (or having so many things sound so good already!!).

     I would like to thank all of the members for leaving Gifford so spotless - again!  That is very much appreciated by myself and it shows the kind of pride that is already present in this year's edition of the Lighthouse Brigade.  I always enjoy our "Show-And-Tell" at the end of camp and I encourage all parents to come check it out if you can.  They will always take place on Sundays at 5:15.  After the "Show-And-Tell" the members have to begin cleaning all of the rehearsal areas, and this is a great time to chat with other Brigade parents and learn how to get involved with this terrific organization.  

     Members - if your caption heads gave you homework - or things to work on for next camp....well, all I can say is that the Lighthouse Brigade is all about personal responsibility and we simply expect you to work hard at rehearsal AND at home.  I hope everyone enjoyed my first edition of the newsletter and if you have any suggestions or if you would like to see something added to the newsletter - please feel free to contact me.  I really look forward to our next camp in March - it is always a pleasure to see all of you!  If you are on "Facebook" and have not added me as a friend - please do so ASAP so that I can include you for announcements and other communication I have been doing through Facebook.

- Rex out

Know Your Brigade Staff

     This edition of "Know Your Staff" will feature one of our most popular staff members - Guy Gregg.  Guy is a former marching member of our very own Lighthouse Brigade and is one of the few people who is able to say they marched under both Brigade directors.  He has been on staff with us since 2004 and has been a HUGE part of our outstanding horn lines in recent years.  Guy will be starting his graduate studies in Chicago this season, but we are very lucky that he has agreed to work with us as much as possible as a music consultant.  Now - on to my Q & A with Guy:

Name: Guy Gregg

Position: Horn Line Staff (Music Consultant)

Number of Years on Brigade Staff: 6

Marching Band/Drum Corps Experience: Lighthouse Brigade of Racine, Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps

Current Job:  Band Director at Oak Creek High School

College Degree:  Bachelor of Music - Music Education from UW - Stevens Point

Main Instrument: French Horn

Home Town: Racine, WI

Birthday:  May 22nd, 1982

Favorite Food: Anything

Top Five Favorite Movies:  Wayne's World, Silence of the Lambs, Batman (the two most recent), Edward Scissorhands

Favorite TV Shows:  Curb Your Enthusiasm, Clean House, Survivor Man, Dirty Jobs, MythBusters

Book you are currently reading:  Just finished the second WICKED book, "Son of a Witch"

What song is currently playing on your iPod: Eric Whitacre's "Cloudburst"

Favorite Sports Team: Green Bay Packers

Favorite Pig-Out Food:  Taco Dip and BBQ Pulled Pork

Dream Vacation:  Italy

Worst Habit:  Being overly critical

Hidden talent you have:  I can Cloup (pronounced, "C-Laouwp")  which is clapping songs in my mouth - I named it "Clouping"

Famous person you have met:  Bobby McFerrin (had dinner with him!)

Famous person you would like to meet:  Will Ferrell

Favorite Quote: "Big gulps, eh guys?  All right....see you later!"

Favorite Actor:  Dustin Hoffman

Favorite Actress:  Angelina Jolie

Favorite ride at Disney World:  Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, Rockin' Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror (it's a toss up!)

Add your own personal thoughts about the Lighthouse Brigade:  There are few opportunities to find out exactly how far you can push yourself as a human being, especially as a young adult.  This is definitely one of those experiences that is life-changing.  Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, Socially, and sometimes even Spiritually, it is an experience that is enjoyable, safe, and supportive to becoming a better musician, marcher, and human being.  All of my current best friends today are the guys I marched with in Brigade over ten years ago.  In other words......I like it.

131 Days until "Dakota Lemonade" time!!

     That's right - only 131 more days until we will all fall under the spell of the best lemonade on the planet - the famous "Dakota Lemonade"!!  Sometimes I wonder if I only do Brigade because I know there is a magical beverage in store for me when I go to Dakota each year for their annual field show competition!  

     For those of you who have never experienced the joy and rapture of Dakota Lemonade - you will soon understand the longing and excitement that will be spreading through the Brigade ranks as we get closer to June 25th!  For those of you who know exactly what I am talking about......131 more days until we will be able to toast Brigade, Dakota, cows, the ever present smell of manure, and all that is good in the world!

     I'm looking forward to seeing everybody again for another Brigade camp this weekend!  Don't forget the dates and times:

Saturday, February 21st (9:00am - 5:00pm)

and

Sunday, February 22nd (1:00pm - 6:00pm)

(Gifford Elementary School)

Note:  For Parents - "Show-And-Tell" will be at 5:15 on Sunday!!

- Rex out

Know Your Brigade Staff

     My next "Know Your Staff" will focus on one of our percussion technicians - Meghan Christian.  I've known Meghan since she was my band student at Mitchell Middle School and it so much fun to now work with her as a staff member!  After two years in the Junior Brigade - Meghan began marching in the Lighthouse Brigade on bass drum in 2002 and then on snare 2003-2006 (ending her marching career with Brigade as drum line section leader during our championship season).  During her years in Brigade, our drum lines were among some of the best in our history and she was a big part of that.  So - here is how Meghan answered my questions:

Name: Meghan Christian

Position: Percussion Technician

Number of years on staff: second year

Marching Experience: Junior Brigade (2000-2001), Lighthouse Brigade (2002-2006)

College: University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Major: going for BFA

Main Instrument: Percussion

Home Town: Racine, WI

Birthday: May 18th, 1988

Favorite Food: fish and pasta

Top Five Favorite Movies: American Beauty, Lord of the Rings, Curse of the Golden Flower, Mulan and Gladiator

Favorite TV Shows: South Park, Scrubs, What Not To Wear

Book you are currently reading:  My Year of Meats

What is currently playing on your iPod: Radiohead

Favorite Sports: volley ball, badminton, horseback riding

Favorite games: FF, Risk, Chess, GTA, Fable, Portal, Civilization, The Sims.....

Favorite pig-out food: salted popcorn

Dream Vacation: Seoul, Korea

Worst Habit: nail biting

Hidden talent you have: random character impersonations

Famous person you have met: Johnny Yong Bosch (the original Black Ranger)

Famous person you would like to meet: Yoshitaka Amano, Alphonse Mucha, Gustave Klimt, Louis Sullivan and Giacomo Balla

Worst Fear: heights

Favorite Actor: Kevin Spacey

Favorite Actress: Meryl Streep

Favorite ride at Disney World: Mission Space

Add your own personal thoughts about the Lighthouse Brigade:  I can not seem to find the appropriate words to express my appreciation for what Brigade has done for me, but I will do my best.  Because of Brigade, I was able to meet interesting people and develop important character building skills that have proven useful as I go through my "post-adolescent idealistic phase".  Brigade is something I encourage for anyone interested in challenging themselves, making new friends, and creating powerful memories.  My years in the Lighthouse Brigade are something I will not easily forget and I am glad to be back on staff for this upcoming season!

First Camp of the Season!!!

     The first camp of the 2009 season was a huge success!  For the first time in a bunch of years - all sections of Brigade (horn line, battery, front ensemble and guard) have strong numbers.  It is so great to see a ton of former Junior Brigade members coming up this year and I really enjoyed the work ethic and attitudes on display all weekend!

     This camp is designed to give our old and new members a chance to get to know one another and start forming friendships that will not only last a summer - but often for a lifetime!  New members quickly started to learn how we do things the "Brigade Way" while the veteran members shook off the rust of winter and started to get back into "Brigade Mode".  Membership so far this year is almost up 50%!!  As I told the members - the numbers are looking great already, but we are always looking for just a few more people if possible to fill out our ranks even more.  I will accept new members until the middle of May, and then I will have to really start writing the actual drill with our final and confirmed numbers.

     As far as what was accomplished this weekend: Guard is learning all of the warm-ups and technique (body and flag) they will be needing for the season.  Battery worked on warm-ups, technique, the street beat and even started to look at the opener.  The Front Ensemble was without Patrick this weekend, but one of Patrick's friends - Alex - stepped right in and worked with the line.  He did a great job and we really appreciate him filling in for Patrick.  Patrick is expecting all of his front ensemble members to be able to play "four mallet" technique and they started working on that.  The Horn Line worked on a bunch of warm-ups and breathing exercises and also started work on the opener.  Brian Braatz is back as visual caption head and he started the long process of getting our members to march our style.  It is a long road ahead, but Brian and his visual staff are hyped!

     All I can say is: the staff and I are SOOOOO excited for this season - especially after seeing the talent level of the group; the full numbers and the behavior of the members.  It is going to be a fun AND competitive season for sure!!!  On a side note.....at the end of every rehearsal I do a final check of all of the rehearsal areas to make sure they are left clean.  Well - this weekend - each area was SPOTLESS!!  It was like we had never even entered the school - so a HUGE thank you to the staff and members for being responsible.

     Our next camp is right around the corner:  Saturday, February 21st (9-5) and Sunday, February 22nd (1-6).  There will be "Show-And-Tell" for parents on Sunday at around 5:15 (just follow the sign to see where it will start).  Come and see what amazing things your children are doing in this program.  Members - bring a friend!  I can't wait to see everyone in a couple of weeks!!

- Rex Out