DCI Magazine, Spring, 2013

Page 1

DrumCorps

Spring 2013 | Vol. 7 No. 1

The Magazine of Marching Music’s Major League™

International

Big Steps New DCI programs map the future of marching music

COMPLETE SUMMER TOUR SCHEDULE CRUSADERS PARADE AT THE INAUGURATION MARCHING MUSIC ACADEMY AND OTHER NEWS

1_DCICover2013CW.indd 1

TAKE CORPS VALUES INTO YOUR CLASSROOM

Come Together: A HIGH SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS OF TAKING STUDENT GROUPS TO DCI EVENTS

3/13/13 12:30 PM

Since 1887, Yamaha has grown to become the world's largest musical instruments manufacturer. Yamaha products and services are recognized the world over for superior quality in acoustics, design, technology and craftsmanship. Together with Yamaha’s award-winning customer service for end users, our objective is reflected in everything we do.

In the year of our 125th Anniversary, Yamaha wishes to thank our many talented customers, dedicated music educators and much-loved parents for being the real power behind the music.

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/5/13 12:10 PM

SPRING 2013

DrumCorps International THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF MARCHING MUSIC’S MAJOR LEAGUE Volume 7 Issue 1

Dan Acheson Executive Director/CEO Bob Jacobs Director, Marketing John DeNovi Director, Sales & Business Development Chris Weber Sr. Manager, Communications

Custom Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC

Santa Clara Vanguard

Irwin Kornfeld CEO Will Edwards President Angelo Biasi Publisher

FEATURES 14

Marching Music’s Brave New World

21

Master Class: Band Together

Emile Menasché Editor-in-Chief Jackie Jordan Creative Director Mac Randall Senior Editor Robin Garber Production Director Barbara Boughton Business Manager Photography Johnny Gilbert, Linda and Sid Unser Contributors Debbie Galante Block, Rachel Borok, Geoff Giordano, Fran Kick, Danny Miles Drum Corps International is the leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Editorial and business contact is 110 W. Washington St., Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone: 317-275-1212, fax: 317-713-0690. Drum Corps International Magazine is published twice a year. Nonprofit organization U.S. postage paid at Long Prairie, MN permit #710. Copyright ©2013 Drum Corps International. All rights reserved.

20

www.dci.org

2_DCIMasthead_2013ok.indd 1

Drum Corps International’s two new programs are turning musical competition into a global phenomena and bringing more people onto the “field” than ever before. BY DANNY MILES The leader of DCI’s popular Kick Start program demonstrates how the teaching techniques used by DCI groups empower and motivate performers. Learn how educators can draw from the drum corps experience to teach their own students to develop the desire to excel from within. BY FRAN KICK

DEPARTMENTS 5 Sidelines

Madison turns 75 ... The Marching Music Academy ... How DCI set a TV composer’s career path ... Reliving the classics on Blu-ray, Championships lodging, and more!

8 The 2013 DCI Tour

Plan your summer by checking out new events, updates, and other highlights from the summer season ahead.

26 Commitment to Excellence

Boston Crusaders help President Obama inaugurate his second term.

30 Teacher Talk

High school music director Scott Spradling explains why taking his students to a DCI event has become an annual pilgrimage.

Cascades

www.dci.org

3

3/12/13 1:45 PM

BLUE DEVILS

ARE LEGACY

© 2013 Avedis Zildjian Company

12 out of 12 DCI Finalists played one brand. Zildjian. Blue Devils -­ 2012 DCI World Champions ZILDJIAN.COM

_DCI_ad.indd 2

SOUND LEGACY

3/4/13 4:25 PM

NEWS AND NOTES FROM DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL 1938

THE ACADEMY REWARDS Coinciding with its 2013 World Championships in Indianapolis, Drum Corps International will present a two-day edition of its acclaimed Marching Music Academy on Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10. Created to help music educators enhance the marching music programming at their schools— whether their programs are already advanced or just beginning—the Academy’s interactive and highly engaging educational sessions consist of information, demonstrations and teacher participation. Experts in the field of marching music will share their knowledge on program design, music arranging and visual design, music and marching technique, and health and safety practices, connecting these topics to the Marching Music Guidelines currently being developed by NAfME. All participants can earn graduate credit for continuing education; there will also be a separate track and sessions for future music educators. Learn more at DCI.org/mma.

1950

M

75 Years of Scouts Honor

uch has changed since a group of Madison, Wisconsin Boy Scouts picked up instruments in 1938. But after 75 years on the march, today’s Scouts remain linked to the past by “the tradition of brotherhood and perseverance expressed in Madison’s 2013 show, ‘Corps of Brothers: 75 Years of Survival,’” says executive director Chris Komnick. “The show will include the corps song, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’” After marking the anniversary at its June 29 hometown show, Drums on Parade, the Scouts will hold an official celebration banquet on Sept. 28 at the Monona Terrace along Madison’s lakefront. The party will include historical presentations, archival displays, music, and a screening of the full-length documentary Scouts Honor, which followed the corps during the 2012 season. Still, Komnick says the milestone is not just about looking to the past. “We’re honored to be one of the oldest corps in the activity and will continue to program and develop exciting shows for our fans,” he explains. “But our true mission is to develop the character of the young men who participate in the corps. We’ve been doing that for 75 years and we expect to continue that for at least another 75.” Follow the festivities at madisonscouts.org, and check out an effort to digitally preserve Madison Scouts history at facebook.com/themadisonscoutsarchiveproject.

1975

1990

2012

www.dci.org

3_DCISidelines.indd 7

5

3/12/13 1:47 PM

Sidelines Spend Championship Week at the Center of the Action

Age-Out: Wendell Yuponce 3 Sacramento Freelancers Percussionist NOW 3 Film and TV Composer THEN

Y

ou’ve likely heard Wendell Yuponce’s music without knowing it. The percussionist and composer has written for everything from HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm to the graphic novel app Madefire (madefire.com). He traces much of his success to 1978, when a season with the Sacramento Freelancers drum line “made me realize that I was functionally musically illiterate,” he says. “So I set out to become as thorough as possible.” In 1979 Yuponce enrolled in Seattle’s Cornish College, majoring in percussion and minoring in piano. After graduating in 1983, he embarked on the path that now finds him working with co-writer Don Silva on a project for FirstCom (the largest U.S. library of prerecorded tracks) that will include drum cadenc- Wendell Yuponce es of all styles from the 1940s to the 1978 2000s. “To get the proper period sounds, we’ll be receiving support from Sennheiser/Neumann and are also seeking the assistance of Remo and Innovative [Percussion] or Vic Firth,” says Yuponce, who adds that his ability to take on such huge assignments goes directly back to his drum corps days. “I learned to break up larger things into digestible parts,” he says,” “something that serves my career to this day.”

Now’s the time to start planning your trip to Indianapolis for the 2013 Drum Corps International World Championships. As always, Championship Week starts with the Open Class Prelims and Finals in Michigan City, Indiana, on August 5 and 6, before the action moves south. Indianapolis marks its fifth year hosting the World Championship Finals with a return of the popular DCI Kickoff Party and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony the evening of Columbia Club Hotel Wednesday, Aug. 7. Competitive events featuring World and Open Class corps take place from Thursday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 10. Be at the center of the action downtown—and find great rooms at great rates—by booking your stay through DCI.org/indyhotels.

Stay in Touch! Get social and keep up with the latest from DCI this summer and throughout the year on Facebook (Drum Corps International), Twitter (@DCI) and YouTube (DCI Fan Network).

Virtual E-Gift! A Drum Corps International gift card makes the perfect present for the drum corps fanatic in your life. Available in a range of dollar amounts, DCI gift cards can be applied to any merchandise available at DCIstore.org.

$75 $25 $100

Classic Corps in High Definition Relive more than 40 years of classic drum corps performances with the clarity provided by today’s technology with DCI’s new Essentials Collection—Champions. The Blu-ray disc includes shows by Santa Clara Vanguard (1973 and ’89), Madison Scouts (’75), The Cadets (’84, ’05), Blue Devils (’86, ’94, ’99, ’07), Star of Indiana (’91), Phantom Regiment (’96), and The Cavaliers (’00,’06)—all with remastered audio and video up-converted to high definition. Learn more at DCIstore.org.

6

www.dci.org

3_DCISidelines.indd 8

3/12/13 1:47 PM

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/11/13 3:58 PM

THE

TOUR

With more than 100 shows coast to coast, Drum Corps International’s 2013 season is sure to offer something for every student and fan of marching music from all over the country.

W

ith more than 100 events scheduled coast to coast from June through August, the Drum Corps International Tour will offer incredible excitement and entertainment for every student and fan of Marching Music’s Major League™. Showcasing the world’s most elite marching music ensembles, the 2013 Tour will span a total of 53 days and feature more than 100 competitive events in 38 states. Some 45 World, Open and International Class corps are expected to perform this summer on their way to the big prize—a shot at the DCI World Championship title. Championships Week will kick off in Michigan City, Indiana the first full week of August for Open Class groups, before everyone heads to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to compete August 8–10. The summer tour officially gets underway on Wednesday, June 19 in Mesa, Arizona, ahead of the season’s first big weekend of competition. The following are just a few of the highlights for the upcoming season. For a complete list of all the events broken down by state, turn the page or visit DCI.org.

JUNE Lexington, KY gets its inaugural taste of Drum Corps International action with World Class groups facing off on the first Friday of the summer season. Traveling all the way from Fort Mill, South Carolina, Carolina Crown will make a first-ever appearance in the Bay Area for DCI West at Stanford Stadium.

Eight World Glass groups will meet in Muncie at the third annual DCI Central Indiana showdown at Ball State University’s Scheumann Stadium. The show caps off a week of activities for hundreds of high school music students attending the Music For All Summer Symposium.

Colts

8

www.dci.org

4_DCICalander.indd 1

3/13/13 2:07 PM

event series (DCI.org/ tour-of-champions) returns to Middle Tennessee State University’s Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro. DCI debuts in another important new venue as the action moves to Alabama A&M University’s Louis Crews Stadium with a huge lineup of World Class corps slated to perform.

Over the years, the DCI Southeastern Championship has grown to be regarded as one of the biggest events of the season— and a great preview of the upcoming Finals. As usual, the entire World Class will compete at the Atlanta Georgia Dome. What will be different this year, however, is a move to Sunday due to a citywide convention on the event’s usual date.

AUGUST Mandarins

JULY

The music of top World and Open Class corps will fill the rarified air of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver for the 50th anniversary edition of Drums Along the Rockies. University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium will be rocking as DCI Minnesota brings together the largest lineup of corps to date. DCI St. Louis returns to McKendree University’s Leemon Field. Seats tend to fill up fast in this intimate venue, so order your tickets in advance. DCI’s annual Texas swing gets underway with DCI North Dallas at Denton’s CH Collins Athletic Complex. Fans heading to DCI Houston will see World Class groups march into the drum

corps-friendly Berry Center Athletic Complex in the suburb of Cypress. Every one of DCI’s World Class corps will compete head-to-head for the first time this summer, performing under the roof of the San Antonio Alamodome at the DCI Southwestern Championship. The Texas tour wraps up at DCI Dallas with an exciting lineup of World Class corps squaring off at Lake Highlands High School. The final push to the World Championship Finals starts with two Premier Events on the same day: DCI Southern Mississippi at Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium and DCI Arkansas at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium The Tour of Champions

The last of DCI’s Premier Events before the World Championships is also among the most traditional—the two-day celebration of marching music at Allentown, PA’s, J. Birney Crum Stadium known collectively as the DCI Eastern Classic. With half of DCI’s World Class corps appearing on Friday and the second half on Saturday, it’s sure to be an entertaining and exciting preview of the World Championships.

The Georgia Dome

5-10

DCI World Championships MICHIGAN CITY, IN i Open Class Prelims Monday, August 5 i Open Class Finals Tuesday, August 6

For tickets visit DCI.org /tickets

INDIANAPOLIS, IN i World Championship Prelims Thursday, August 8 i World Championship Semifinals Friday, August 9 i World Championship Finals Saturday, August 10

www.dci.org

4_DCICalander.indd 2

9

3/12/13 1:51 PM

THE

TOUR

Blue Devils B

We’ve broken the schedule down by state to make it easy to find shows near you this summer. For a complete list of events, up-to-date lineups, ticket information and more, visit DCI.org/schedule. ii ALABAMA 7/25 7/27

Opelika Huntsville

ii ARIZONA 6/19

Mesa ii

ARKANSAS 7/16 7/24

Bentonville Little Rock

ii CALIFORNIA 6/21 6/22 6/23 6/24 6/28 6/29 6/30 7/6 7/7 7/13 7/14

Clovis Stanford Sacramento Santa Clara Oceanside Walnut Riverside Sacramento Pleasant Hill Mission Viejo Bellflower

ii COLORADO 7/06

Denver

ii CONNECTICUT 6/30

New Haven

ii GEORGIA 7/28

Atlanta

ii IDAHO 7/2

ii LOUISIANA

Boise

ii ILLINOIS 6/21 7/7 7/9 7/14 7/15 7/31

Rockford Lisle Metamora DeKalb Lebanon Spring Valley

ii INDIANA 6/22 6/26 6/28 7/6 8/5-6 8/8-10

Merrillville Evansville Muncie Michigan City Michigan City Indianapolis

ii IOWA 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/30

Waukee Muscatine Dubuque Mason City

ii KANSAS 7/15 7/16

Olathe Wichita

ii KENTUCKY 6/21

Lexington TCF Bank Stadium

7/22

Lafayette

ii MASSACHUSETTS 6/29 7/5 8/1

Quincy Lynn Lawrence

ii MICHIGAN 6/25 7/27 8/1

Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Niles

ii MINNESOTA 6/30 7/1 7/13

Rochester Mankato Minneapolis

ii MISSISSIPPI 7/23 7/24

Ocean Springs Hattiesburg

ii MISSOURI 7/11

Warrensburg

ii NEBRASKA 7/8

Omaha

ii NEW HAMPSHIRE 7/20

Manchester

ii NEW JERSEY 6/28 7/6 8/4

Jackson TBA East Rutherford

ii NEW YORK 8/1 8/5

Rome Buffalo

ii NORTH CAROLINA 7/27

Charlotte

ii OHIO 6/22 6/23 6/25 7/30 8/3 8/5 8/6

Akron Bowling Green Fairfield Dublin Avon Lake Centerville Massillon

ii OKLAHOMA *Events, dates and locations subject to change

10

7/17 7/23

Broken Arrow Mustang

ii OREGON 6/27 6/28

Medford Tualatin

ii PENNSYLVANIA 6/26 7/7 7/31 7/31 8/2 8/2 8/3 8/4

Pittsburgh Chambersburg Erie West Chester Allentown Johnsonburg Allentown Pittsburgh

ii RHODE ISLAND 7/3

Bristol

ii SOUTH DAKOTA 7/9

Sioux Falls

ii TENNESSEE 7/26

Murfreesboro

ii TEXAS 7/18 7/19 7/20 7/21 7/23

Denton Houston San Antonio Round Rock Dallas

ii UTAH 7/3

Ogden

ii VIRGINIA 7/30 7/31

Salem Warrenton

ii WASHINGTON 6/29 7/1

Renton Tri Cities

ii WEST VIRGINIA 7/30

Charleston

ii WISCONSIN 6/29 6/30 7/3 7/5 7/12 7/29

Madison Salem Cedarburg Whitewater La Crosse Rice Lake

ii WYOMING 7/5

Casper

www.dci.org

4_DCICalander.indd 3

3/12/13 1:52 PM

Championship corps deserve a championship city. Indianapolis is excited to welcome back the DCI World Championships. As a city that strives to be the very best, we’re in-tune with your elite standards of excellence and are proud to transform our home into your stage. Each year the spotlight shines on the DCI World Championships, and each year we are inspired by the moving composition of your performances, your leadership and your dedication. Indianapolis has been working hard to raise its game to provide the best for you. In the same way you work tirelessly to perfect your performance, we are working hard to strengthen the championships and our commitment to you. Good luck to everyone!

For what to do, where to go and what to eat in between, go to visitIndy.com _DCI_ad.indd 2

3/11/13 4:00 PM

The most innovative products and best service is what makes StylePlus your most reliable source for all your performance needs. We’re now proud to introduce our most innovative products yet: The Releve Platinum is the most advanced guard shoe in the industry from its soft neoprene and vinyl upper to new cotton sock lining that is design to wick mositure away during your performance. We’re also proud to show off our new line of Clear Lame flags, this exclusive StylePlus fabric show colors brilliantly yet allows light to soak in, creating the effect of a stained glass flag. With a miraid of creative uses this innovative product is sure to change the way the guard industry thinks about flags for years to come.

Be sure to check us out on the web at www.styleplusband. com or give us a call at 1-888-652-5945 to locate your authorized StylePlus representative.

2 BIG EVENTS

IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE! DCI On the Big Screen

DCI World Championship Prelims

“2013 TOUR PREMIERE” “BIG, LOUD & LIVE 10” MONDAY, JUNE 24 THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 VISIT DCI.ORG/CINEMA

1_DCI_AdTemp.indd 1

3/6/13 9:33 AM

1_DCI_AdTemp.indd 1

3/5/13 12:00 PM

DCI marches into

BIG THE NEXT

THING

DCI’s new DrumLine Battle and SoundSport programs will bring musical competition to more students— with more diverse interests—than ever before

T

here’s nothing quite like the experience of seeing a Drum Corps International competition in person. Watching those massive marching ensembles perform moves over an entire football field while trying to impress demanding judges and the audience alike has been inspiring young musicians for decades. But not everyone who wants to compete musically can take part in DCI’s summer tour–or even join a structured school-year competition such as those held for indoor color guard or percussion groups. Time and costs can be barriers for some. Others may not feel that their ability matches the elite performers who make up DCI corps. There are also accomplished musicians who play instruments deemed ineligible by DCI rules. Recognizing an opportunity to bring those students into the world of musical competition for perhaps the first time—and provide flexible off-season opportunities for current performers as well—DCI

14

is launching t wo new initiatives: DrumLine Battle—a structured but flexible high-energy competition for marching percussion ensembles; and SoundSport, a program inspired in-part by TV talent shows (as well as DCI’s own Individual & Ensemble program) that’s open to all instruments and ages. “Through the creation of these new initiatives, we will provide fun, new performance opportunities for instrumental music students around the world,” says DCI executive director and CEO Dan Acheson. “With more than 40 years of experience producing events showcasing the best of the best in marching music, the new SoundSport and DrumLine Battle programs are intended to engage young musicians in exciting new ways.” Both programs, which begin this year, are designed to make it easy for both students and teachers to get started and tailor their involvement to fit their particular desires, schedules, and abilities. “Band directors can choose to be very involved

www.dci.org

5_DCIFeature1_2013.indd 1

3/13/13 2:09 PM

www.dci.org

5_DCIFeature1_2013.indd 2

15

3/13/13 12:06 PM

with the creation of one or more teams from within their these programs will include “virtual performances,” which existing instrumental music program, or they may opt to will let groups from around the world perform and even serve as a mentor, allowing the students to handle creative compete in exclusive online tournaments. and instructional chores in addition to taking the stage as “It’s an amazing teaching opportunity for both music performers,” Acheson explains. “The goal is to make it very classes and cross-curricular programs—especially social easy for ensembles of all types to be a part of a fun and cre- studies and language classes,” he says. “It’s designed to let ative performance outlet, while also encouraging the pursuit groups create special programming. For example, teachers of excellence which is the hallmark of the DCI brand.” can work with band directors from other schools in their area “It’s especially good for what some feel may be under- to create DrumLine Battle opportunities at football games served communities, such as those students who are not next fall. We’ve simplified the rules and designed the judging already participating in other activities like indoor percus- to be immediate and understandable to both the participants sion and indoor color guard, drama club, jazz band, or choral and the fans, which should make the overall experience more music activities,” adds Robert Jacobs, DCI’s director of mar- entertaining. We’re starting with a series of Olympic-style keting and executive director of the World Class DCI group demonstration games this spring that will include the Denver Jersey Surf. “Millions of kids want to make music, have fun, Broncos Stampede Drum Line, Madah Bahana from the and enjoy some teamwork and competition but don’t fit with- University of Indonesia, the Jersey Surf, and the Center in existing programs. That’s why SoundSport is open to all Grove High School Drum Line, which shows just how flexinstruments. You can have a ‘bucket band’ and you’re in! ible and open this concept is.” Handbell choirs, woodwind ensembles, brass ensembles, Keeping the ensembles small—maximum size for a brass and woodwind ensembles, sax or trombone or tuba or DrumLine Battle group is 35—and using a compact “Battle flute choirs, mariachi groups, string players who can move, Zone” not only allows groups to perform virtually anyaccordions, harmonicas, kazoos—they’re all welcome, as are where, it also makes rehearsals easier to organize—potensmall marching bands and drum corps-style groups.” tially giving students a chance to go beyond simply perWhat makes both programs for m i ng. “ We e x p ec t t h at so unique is how “community” many w ill start developing is defined: It can be as local as their skills as budding composDrumLine Battle competitions use a compact arena to make one school or can encompass ers, arrangers, and choreograevents easier to stage anywhere from a mall to a gym, while keeping the audience focused on the performers. the entire globe. Jacobs says that phers,” Acheson says. the combination of social media “We really hope to empower 12m 2m 12m and well-received international the members of the communitours and workshops by DCI ty—the young musicians and BATTLE BATTLE groups and adjudicators have their teachers from all over the ZONE ZONE spawned the formation of drum world—to shape t hese procorps-inspired ensembles all g r a m s ,” Jacob s conclude s. over the world, especially in “They’re designed to evolve A sia. So, in addition to live along wit h t heir interests.” “head-to-head” competitions, Learn more at DCI.org. 16

NEUTRAL ZONE

A

B

12m

12m

THE BATTLE ZONE

www.dci.org

5_DCIFeature1_2013.indd 3

3/13/13 12:07 PM

UNIFORMS

StanburyAd.indd 1 _DCI_ad.indd 2

2/22/13 4:25 PM 3/1/13 11:18 AM

Riverside City College

CRIMPLOCK

TENOR DRUMHEAD remo.com/marching Available in sizes 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 13”, and 14”

1_DCI_AdTemp.indd 1

3/4/13 4:23 PM

B63 =44717/: 2=1C;3<B ;/</53;3<B 1=;>/<G =4 217

BC@< G=C@

47:3 @==;

7<B= /

0@3/9 @==; 4/130==9 1=; 5C723AB/@

1/:: '% & ! ESAQO\4WZSa Q][ _DCI_ad.indd 2

3/1/13 11:20 AM

Your Band and Orchestra Author ity Anniversary

From the practice room to the performance field,

W

we’ve got you covered!

oodwind &

sswind Bra

P.O. Box 7479 | Westlake Village, CA 91359-7479

_DCI_ad.indd 2

R

800.346.4448 | WWBW.com

SO

P

OR

N

CO

Call the Educator Hotline today to verify you are receiving the best prices available! 800.346.4448

R

IC IAL FF O

AT E S P

O

Our experts are waiting to help you! Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

3/6/13 9:12 AM

master class

BAND TOGETHER

Motivating students to work hard and get good— not because they have to, but because they WANT TO!

BY FRAN KICK

Here’s the dilemma…

Teacher says: “I’m sick and tired of always telling these

kids what to do and when to do it!”

Kids are thinking: “We’re sick and tired of always being

told what to do and when to do it!” How do we get to the point where students start internalizing some sense of personal responsibility, self-motivation, and “Just do it?” Like most things in life, our individual perception greatly influences both our motivation’s content (what actually motivates us) and context (how and why it motivates us). The better we understand what motivates us as individuals, the better we can help others connect to what motivates them in a lasting way. In his book Emotions of Normal People, author William Marston argues that everyone is motivated—they’re just motivated for their reasons, not yours. When parents say:

“We don’t understand our kid! He’s not motivated—all he wants to do is play video games,” perhaps they miss the point. Their son is motivated: He’s motivated to play video games! So rather than thinking of motivation as something students either have or don’t have, ask a question based on the root of the word: “What’s your motive?” The answers can show that motivation isn’t a “yes or no” proposition, but is more like a continuous scale with three levels. At the bottom, students have little or no motivation. They’re apathetic. Everything at this level seems to be an obligation—something they “have to” do. They only seem to respond to threats or punishments. The middle level of motivation involves things they “get to” do. Students are motivated by opportunities or incentives. They see their level of motivation as some sort of www.dci.org

6_DCIFeature2_2013.indd 1

21

3/12/13 1:54 PM

master class 4UVEFOUT HFU BDUJWF BU B ,JDL 4UBSU TFTTJPO EVSJOH UIF %$* 5PVS

'SBO ,JDL

pay-off. They’ll put in the work, but only if there’s a reward. That attitude can be summed up by the question “What’s in it for me?� Both of these levels (“have to� and “get to�) tend to be externally directed. Students require bribes or threats, carrots or sticks to “motivate them� into doing something. But when students start to tap into the highest level—a more internally inspired level of motivation—their commitment increases, and so does their success. Remember William Marston’s argument that everyone’s motivated for their own reasons? The things students will do on their own—without threats and without bribes, but because they want to do it—fall into this category. This selfmotivation, or intrinsic motivation, differs from extrinsic motivation. It’s that personal, internal, inherent, natural human tendency to do something for no other reason than the pure joy and satisfaction derived from the activity itself. Everything we do with conscious intention has some underlying reason behind it, be it external, internal, or a mix of both. Someone might go to the gym because they’re training for a competition, but others might go because they enjoy the exercise, like the endorphin rush they feel afterward, feel better about themselves when people notice their fitness, take pride in being disciplined, fear getting cut from the team—the reasons may even change over time. But their workout is usually more effective when the internal influences outweigh the external pressures.

When Work Gets Fun

Find someone who’s really good at doing something. It doesn’t matter what it is—sports, music, art, video games— and then ask: “How come you’re so good?� More times than not, their response will be something like, “I don’t know; it’s just fun.� They see it as a cause-and-effect relationship, rather than a process or cycle with one key element they rarely mention—work! 22

W hen you consider t he amount of effort, energy, and time it took them to get good, you begin to see that they “work at it� more than most. That t 4FF NPSF BCPVU UIF effort improves their ability, and concepts we’ve discussed as they get better, the activity BU UJOZVSM DPN LJDL JU BOE UJOZVSM DPN LJDL JU becomes more fun—so much t 5IF XPSLTIFFU fun that they forget about the PO QBHF PGGFST UXP “work.� And the process cycles BDUJWJUJFT ZPV DBO USZ all the way around—working XJUI ZPVS PXO TUVEFOUT hard, getting good, and having t -FBSO IPX ZPV BOE f u n in t he process. M ihaly ZPVS TUVEFOUT DBO ,JDL 4UBSU :PVS 4FBTPO UIJT Csikszentmihalyi, who studied TVNNFS XJUI 'SBO ,JDL BU the psychology of happiness and TFMFDU %$* 5PVS FWFOUT BU creativity, once said, “Learning LJDLJUJO DPN EDJ to enjoy the intrinsic rewards of hard work is essential to successful development.� Aristotle called this joy, experienced from pursuing excellence in a worthwhile activity, eudaimonia. Abraham Maslow called it “self-actualization.� Csikszentmihalyi calls it the optimal experience of “flow.� And I call it KICKin’ IT IN! Mary Poppins may have been on to something when she said: “In every job that must be done there is an element of fun, you find the fun and snap: The job’s a game!� The musical and physical challenges of drum corps illustrate how the combination of working hard, getting good, and having fun motivates and inspires young people. No one gets past the first rehearsal because they “have to.� Some may do it because they “get to.� But most take part because they “want to.� In fact, when I talk to the educators who bring their students to Kick It In events, where they can see DCI groups on the field and up close, they’ll often cite one main reason for excellence they’re seeing and hearing: “All those kids really want to be there!� Well of course they do. It’s lots of FUN!

Kick starters

www.dci.org

6_DCIFeature2_2013.indd 2

3/12/13 1:54 PM

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/1/13 11:12 AM

master class Activity #1 List one time in your life where you found yourself working hard, getting good or doing well and having fun.

Describe what made you “work hard.”

How were you “doing well?” Or what were you “getting good” at doing?

What made it “fun” for you?

Activity #2 List things in your life you feel like you... “HAVE TO” DO...

“GET TO” DO...

“WANT TO” DO...

COMMITMENT & MOTIVATION Notice how your level of commitment and motivation increases as you move from things you “Have to” do vs. “Get to” do vs. “Want to” do?

24

www.dci.org

6_DCIFeature2_2013.indd 3

3/12/13 1:54 PM

GET COMFORTABLE. The fastest growing marching brand is now available with the most advanced carriers & stands by MAY.™

W W W . Q U A N T U M M A R C H I N G . C O M

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/4/13 9:59 AM

Commitment to Excellence

By Geoff Giordano

Monumental March

Boston Crusaders paraded into history at President Obama’s second inauguration.

M

arching in the inaugural parade for the President of the United States is an exhilarating—and humbling—moment. So when the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps got the news in mid-December that they were one of the 40 ensembles from around the country chosen to participate in the January 21 launch of President Obama’s second term, Executive Director Tom Spataro says the group was both excited and realistic. “We knew we were in for a lot of work, but it would certainly be worth it.” It’s not the first time the organization has marched during Washington’s biggest celebration. The corps—which was founded in 1940 and became a charter member of Drum Corps International in 1972—played in Lyndon Johnson’s parade in 1965. After the initial thrill of having their application to perform approved, the Crusaders immediately set about adjusting winter rehearsals and getting uniforms out of storage. The parade committee needed a preliminary roster by the end of December. The Crusaders quickly selected 140 players from more than 200 applicants and set up several online conferences to help prepare them for the task at hand. “When we initially discussed submitting the application for the parade, we developed preliminary plans should we be selected,” Spataro explains. “The biggest of those meant

26

moving our January camp one week earlier and moving it from Florida to the D.C. area. Combining a regular camp rehearsal weekend with parade prep was a great way to continue to work on our 2013 production while also making sure we were all ready to go for the parade.” The inaugural roster was similar in size to the corps’ typical assemblage of 150 members. Applicants were caref ully considered to achieve the right mix. “In addition to their performance aptitude, we asked them what this opportunity meant to them,” Spataro says. “We also wanted a blend of veteran members and folks who were new to the organization.” For a unit of the Crusaders’ caliber, highprofile performances go with the territory. “Ever y year the corps does a number of parades, usually in Boston around the Fourth of July,” Spataro notes. “We performed the national anthem at Fenway Park last summer. [But] aside from those performances—along with the DCI World Championships—there is nothing near the official importance of this parade coming up.” And how do you make your corps stand out in such an august affair? “Our in-house composer, Ryan George, arranged a custom patriotic medley for this occasion,” Spataro says. “We worked on it at our December camp in preparation for January.” Of course, it’s not just about the music—a great look helps emphasize a great performance. “Prepping the uniforms was a big part, too,” Spataro adds. “We don’t usually work on fitting uniforms until April or May. Thanks to our great team of volunteers we were able to accelerate that process, and we started in December. Our uniform provider, Fred J. Miller, was able to get us jackets and other uniform accessories on short notice. We really appreciated their attention.” After a weekend split between working on the parade and preparing for their 2013 summer season, the group was ready. “The board, staff, volunteers, and members of the organization stepped up on all fronts,” says Crusaders Assistant Director Justin Heimbecker. “The professionalism from the performers was recognized by many, many military personnel. The group made a lasting impression on quite a few folks.” “Following in the footsteps of an earlier generation of Crusaders and marching down Pennsylvania Avenue as the sun set over D.C. was an experience I’m sure none of our members will soon forget,” Spataro concludes. “I know I was honored to be a small part of that weekend.”

www.dci.org

7_DCICommitment.indd 1

3/12/13 1:55 PM

“The Commandant’s Own”

The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps USMC.Drumcorps

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/15/13 9:42 AM

We’ve covered the WORLD for 41 years . . . so far! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Sign up for your FREE subscription at . . .

DCI World Class DCI Open Class DCA Open Class DCA Class A Alumni corps Europe South Africa Far East Southeast Asia The Philippines

www.drumcorpsworld.com

Published 16 issues per year on-line Check out our selection of more than 200 historic CDs, DVDs and history books

Photos by Wil Bijl, Pat Chagnon, David Gwyn, Rich Jones, Chris Maher, Ron Walloch

Come SEE and USE System Blue products!

SHAWN GLYDE DRUM SCHOOL June 17 – 21, 2013 Fresno, CA

TENOR CAMP

June 27 – 29, 2013 Grand Terrace, CA

SNARE CAMP

June 27 – 29, 2013 Grand Terrace, CA

COLOR GUARD CAMP

June 27 – 29, 2013 Grand Terrace, CA

LEADERSHIP CAMPS Blue Devils 15-time World Champions

June 27 – 29, 2013 Grand Terrace, CA July 11 – 13, 2013 Minneapolis, MN

DRUM LINE CAMP

July 11 – 13, 2013 Minneapolis, MN

2013 EDUCATIONAL SERIES REGISTER NOW AT systemblue.org

1_DCI_AdTemp.indd 1

3/5/13 12:02 PM

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/11/13 3:52 PM

Teacher Talk

By Debbie Galante Block

Students get a lesson in leadership before the start of the 2012 DCI Kalamazoo event.

Scott Spradling Director of Music

Concord High School, Elkhart, IN

Every summer, Scott Spradling has made it a point to take a group of students to a Drum Corps International event. “They see kids around their age pursuing excellence at an even higher level than we do with our band,” he explains. Yet as he discovered at the DCI Kalamazoo event last July, watching the action on the field is even more instructive when it’s combined with an inside look at the way DCI groups achieve such excellence. Taking advantage of DCI’s group experience packages, Spradling and a group of Concord High seniors took part in the “Kick Start” leadership program. Offered for free to groups at select DCI Tour events, the educational seminar for students was created by DCI and motivational speaker Fran Kick (see page 20). About 40 seniors from Concord attended the session before the show. We asked Scott to tell is about his program and what his students learn by witnessing drum corps at their very best. How does the drum corps experience fit into your program? I have been at Concord for 27

years. As director of music, I oversee all music classes throughout the school. I also direct our marching and top concert bands. The music The Cavaliers department consists of about 500 kids—almost half of the school. Our year is divided into trimesters. First trimester classes are focused on marching band. The second and third trimesters are focused on concert bands. We start in summer and we do marching band through the beginning of November. In early July, we do a senior getaway

weekend. We usually travel somewhere that revolves around a drum corps show because I want the students to see what is possible beyond their own marching band. What did they experience in Kalamazoo last summer? It started with the hands-on Kick Start leadership workshop. Our students worked together with kids from other schools— something I always appreciate. Students learn that another band may be your competitor, but we are all in this for the same reasons. We are trying to learn and cultivate talents. How did the students respond to the leadership lesson?

When they become seniors, they think, “I have to lead people!”—that they have to get in front of the group. We show them that leadership is about working within their comfort zone. Leadership is about being a good role model. How did they react to the performances on the field?

Many of them hadn’t seen drum corps before. When the Cavaliers, Phantom Regiment, and other top groups performed, you could tell that it was way beyond what they imagined. High school kids are usually up and down and moving around every five seconds, but during this show they sat in the stands and never moved a muscle! How did the outing enhance your own teaching? It was satisfying to hear many of the things

we talk about emphasized in the leadership workshop. It always helps for students to hear things in a different way. As teachers, we also learn about different ways to work with kids.

What do you recommend for other teachers who might want to attend a DCI event with their groups? Ticket pricing for groups is rea-

sonable. In today’s world where traveling finances might be an issue, I would try to pick a local contest or a close regional show. I recommend watching a corps rehearse as well. If students see the practice, they have more of an attachment to what’s going on during the performance so it’s a lot more of an interesting event. The kids see and hear things they didn’t think were possible.

Learn more about taking your group to a 2013 DCI Tour event. Visit DCI.org/groups or call 317.275.1212 for additional info. 30

www.dci.org

8_DCIFrom TeacherRB.indd 1

3/12/13 1:57 PM

_DCI_ad.indd 2

3/1/13 11:15 AM

,:( ' B 6*2-69+ B 36=0: B

&6*-(2.- ! 8 2"-'.0% 8

,99033=033, B 2965 B !(*9(4,5;6 B .5,*-( 0&&- 8 !(5;( 3(9( B

(3(4(A66 B (09-0,3+ B =(5:=033, B

0;;:)<9./ B

,+-69+ B *,(5:0+, B "<(3(;05 B 3-$*& 8 (*2:65 B ,5;65 % B (+0:65 % B %(35<; B <05*@ B 0=,9:0+, B 6*/,:;,9 B ,> (=,5 " B !(3,4 % B (52(;6 B "90 0;0,: % B 60:, B 90:;63 B

C O R P S

,+(9)<9. % B .+,5 #" B @55 B %/0;,>(;,9 % B (:7,9 %& B 0*/0.(5 0;@ B

&-4&0 8

!(*9(4,5;6 B

" B

0:3, B

/(4),9:)<9. B

3,(:(5; 033 B

4(/( B

!06<? (33: ! B

,;(469( B

%(<2,, B ++#), .+% /

<:*(;05, B <)<8<, B ( 96::, % B 0::065 $0,16 B *--&"/.,*1 8 ,33-36>,9 B

# ( / 3(;/, ! B &#"-.- 8

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

%0*/0;( ! B

,5;65=033, B

962,5 996> B

&-2.- 8

.312.- 8

"- -2.-*. 8

(5*/,:;,9 B *.)" *!' /

(-(@,;;, B

<:;(5. B

*,(5 !7905.: ! B

",,"1 8 "22*&1#30( 8

*22,& .$+ 8

7,302( B

.+$+##, *+* /

& +(*--# /

(3(4(A66 B 3-214*,,& 8

2,"-2" 8 0*, (2, % B /(93,:;65 %$ B !(3,4 $ B <)305 B (:65 0;@ B 90, B !7905. $(33,@ B %,:; /,:;,9 B %(99,5;65 $ B (>9,5*, B 64, & B 03,: B ,,&-2.5- 8 6/5:65)<9. B =65 (2, B ,,&-2.5- 8 ,- .-&#+$*+" / 0;;:)<9./ B

,5;,9=033, B .$$ (* /

(::03365 B

For tickets, group rates & additional info, visit www.DCI.org

The 2013 Drum Corps International Tour

_DCI_ad.indd 2

P R E S E N T S

*$)*("- *27

-%*"-"/.,*1

DCI Premier Events highlighted in red.

Events and dates subject to change. rev 3/13

D R U M

Tour of Champions Series highlighted in blue.

MARCHING MUSIC’S MAJOR LEAGUE™

3/11/13 3:53 PM

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.