Kilties Evermore!
February 23 and 24, 2008
Guest Reviewer: Beth Myers Landbo
Kilties’ own John “JC” Caspers was unable to attend the February camp due to a prior commitment, so he asked me to fill in for him by writing JC’s Review. I never feel like I can quite do JC’s great reviews justice, but I’ll do my best to not disappoint those who are reading this, or most importantly, my great section leader.
February camp started out as wonderfully as our past few gatherings. The corps-provided breakfast has been a new addition this year and a great time to sit down with new members, catch up with old friends and get in the swing of rehearsal camp. Especially for those that drive some distance, I think this pre-camp time period does more than nourish our bodies, it provides an opportunity to refresh and ready ourselves for a productive rehearsal weekend – forgetting the worries of knee-deep winter potholes and begin putting our drum corps heads in place.
Saturday’s aggressive schedule paralleled the corps’ desire to move ahead quickly with our goals. Certainly, there was ample time for breaks and meals, but the tight schedule of the various sections fit masterfully together to assure much was being accomplished in all areas.
Since I wasn’t able to find time to check in on other sections as much as I’d like for this review, I have asked two of my friends to help out in reviewing the percussion and color guard rehearsals, and they kindly agreed. So here are two guest reviews within the guest review:
*****
Percussion Review by Anders Hagen
The percussion started with a quick meeting in the band room to outline the agenda for the day. The battery and pit then broke off into sub-sectionals in the morning until lunch to isolate various areas of the show each section needed the most work on.
After lunch, the battery gathered back up in the band room and began taking large chunks of the show with the primary focus being on the closer. The time spent in sectionals was almost instantly noticeable. Sections of the show are really starting pop. The staff saw this and didn’t ease up a bit. Getting even more “nit picky” at every little thing trying to push us further and further to get to the next level. We were all having such a great time running through and cleaning sections that before we knew it, was time to break for dinner.
Post dinner, the battery broke off into sectionals of sorts with the tenors and cymbals learning the first few charts of the drill with the horn line while the snares and bass drums worked on sections of the drum feature in the band room. Once the tenors and cymbals finished up their visual block, the battery ran a quick ensemble covering what hadn’t been worked on yet and reviewing what had been. We then headed to the auditorium to run full ensemble with the pit. I, unfortunately, do not get to hear the pit much during rehearsals but when I do get that chance, it always sounds great. The nattery parts themselves are really fun to listen to (and play), but the pit parts add so much more color and depth that I find myself distracted from playing my own part. We ended a very productive Saturday with a full run of ‘Conflict’ which was by far the best run of it we have had to date -- just a ton of energy coming off the drums. I couldn’t have ended the day any better.
Sunday for the drum line started with an hour or so block with the guard. Yep, you read that right -- guard. I find myself having a really good time learning from the members and staff. I also have found a new respect for people who do this. It takes way more energy to make that flag move then I ever anticipated.
After our block of learning guard work it was ensemble time again. A quick warm-up and then it was time to review what we had worked on Saturday and do full runs of the individual movements. We then repeated the same process with the front ensemble up until the horn line came for full ensemble. Man, was that fun and a great capper to the weekend!
*****
Color Guard Review by Craig Devine
The guard hit the ground running Saturday morning. After a brief stretch, the guard began to learn more new work for the opening movement (Out of the Darkness) – continuing from the new work that we learned at the January Kamp. After lunch, the whole guard convened for an awesome basics sectional to work on technique and learn warm-up exercises that will be used throughout the rest of the year at rehearsals and before shows. The rest of the afternoon and evening were spent reviewing all of the work that had been taught to that point.
Sunday morning brought more review and more new rifle work – adding on to what was learned the previous day. After a fabulous hot lunch, the full percussion and front lines joined the guard in the gym for flag basics and to learn work for the 4th movement of the show. It was amazing to see how well all of these folks picked up the new work that was taught. We ran the segment with music several times in mock drill formation in the gym and it was incredible to see 40+ individuals putting everything they had into what will undoubtedly be a very powerful moment in the show for sure. The rest of the afternoon was spent reviewing everything that the guard has learned to date.
At this point, the guard has 75% of the opening movement complete and the rifle line has learned the ending of the 3rd Movement – Conflict. There is no doubt that the choreography is more challenging this year than ever before. But there is incredible diligence and focus from all with exceptional guidance and instruction from Mike Marcantano, Korrie Powelski and new and amazing addition Chris “Scooter” Jacobson.
*****
Thanks for the great reviews, Anders and Craig!! You guys rock!
From a brass perspective, we continued to work on all parts of the show, both in ensemble and in sectionals. It was amazing to me how far everyone had come in the month since we had last met. It was obvious that mucho work at home was being done on the show music. We also touched on our two parade tunes as well as our concert piece – Water is Wide. It was announced that any veteran brass player could audition to play the solo in Water is Wide. Several people took up the challenge. The solo will be passed around throughout the year. I think this is a great way to involve more of the horn line and pull us all together even closer by sharing the experience of this wonderful tribute song.
Throughout the weekend, auditions were held for all of the solo and small ensemble parts in the show. What struck me as the auditions were being conducted was the number of very talented players that make up the 2008 Kiltie brass line. Man – it was just incredible to listen to one person after another get up and nail the parts beautifully. The decisions must have been difficult for the brass instructors. All I can say is that I was glad I wasn’t in their shoes!
I think a huge part of this weekend in the brass line was that we all got to know each other just a little better. Sections started to meld together. We welcomed a few new members, who all seemed to step up the plate immediately and dig in learning their music. In short, it’s a really great group of people that I’m enjoying getting to know.
Visually, we continued to work on our regular marching style plus learn a few specialty steps that will be utilized during the field show to best highlight the musical style of each piece. And believe it or not, we even started learning drill, as Anders mentioned. I can hardly believe it -- It’s February folks, and the Kilties made their way through four sets of drill and then played along with those sets! It was a pretty incredible feeling, and big-time kudos go out to the staff who is making all this accelerated learning process possible!
The weekend concluded with brass and percussion together in the auditorium running through the entire show front to back (with guard and support staff and even a few guests watching and cheering us on). We also worked out some details of staging for our Spring Preview Concert.
As the powerful strains of the 2008 Renaissance production filled the auditorium (and the hall, and the rest of the school, and the great outdoors I’m sure), I couldn’t help but realize another song was roaming about in my head. I looked around the room at the largest Kilties corps I have ever had the pleasure to march with – a strong, dedicated group with a focused mission of performance excellence backed by a strong administrative plan – and I realized what was in my head was a song we have never sung as a group. The words were penned by member Dan Scerpella a few years ago and it had stuck with me ever since. At that moment in the auditorium, nothing spoke better to what I was feeling – that the Kilties are very healthy and alive and will be around for a very long time. I was more proud than ever to be a part of the history and future of my plaid family.
I close with the words to that song:
Kilties Evermore (To the Tune of “Men of Harlech”)
See Buchanan plaid before us. Tam and sporran and kilt adorn us.
Come and hear our rousing chorus: Kilties never yield!
Onward to the field of battle, bravely we will prove our mettle.
Brothers, sisters, marching proudly. Kilties never fail!
From the halls of glory! To the field of victory! Scottish Lion flying high,
our banner tells our story!
We the Kilties, ever vaunted. Our true heart is never daunted.
Through the years, unto forever…KILTIES EVERMORE!
Thanks for the privilege JC,
Beth (and Anders and Craig)
P.S. If you are interested in attending the Spring Preview Concert, it will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 30th at Gilmore Middle School, 2330 Northwestern Avenue, Racine, WI. Admission is free but seating is limited. The Kilties will play through their entire 2008 Production – Renaissance as well as their parade and concert pieces. Kenosha Beats drumline will begin the concert prior to the Kilties’ performance. We hope to see you there!
