Halftime magazine January/February 2011 by Halftime Magazine

January/February 2011

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Volume 5, Issue 1 www.halftimemag.com $4.95

BowlA-Rama Coverage of all the BCS Bands

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ISSN 1939-6171

— Band directors —

nominate Your students for the U.s. armY aLL-american marcHinG Band! Now is the time for teachers to nominate current HS juniors! Step 1. NOMINATION Sept.-January 17, 2011 Teachers nominate their HS juniors online at menc.org/s/band. MENC teachers will receive All-American Nominee certificates for any HS junior nominated by the Jan. 17 deadline. Step 2. AUDITION February thru April 18, 2011 HS juniors submit their audition materials by the April 18 Deadline. Audition directions will be posted at menc.org/s/band in February 2011. Band selection during June. Selected students will rehearse and perform in their senior year during Bowl Week January 3-7, 2012 – San Antonio, TX. Positions: Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto & Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Marching Baritone, Tuba, Snare, Tenor and Bass Drums, Keyboards, Color Guard, Electric & Bass Guitar, Piano, Drum Set, Drum Major.

successful applicants receive: H a selection tour stop at their school recognizing them as U.S. Army All-American Marching Band members (Fall 2011) H An all-expense paid trip to San Antonio, TX from January 3-7, 2012 featuring a performance by the selected band members during halftime at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl H Uniforms and all instruments are provided for use H instruction from a staff of America’s most respected marching band directors H master classes with musicians from the U.S. Army Field Band H Fun social opportunities in beautiful San Antonio

nomination info - menc.org/s/band U.s. army all-american Bowl and Band info usarmyallamericanbowl.com For information about opportunities in the U.s. army visit goarmy.com

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Photo by Lydia Ness.

Features The Granddaddy of Them All . . . . . 18 As the oldest bowl, the Rose Bowl Game has been officially nicknamed the “Granddaddy of Them All,” bringing great recognition to the selected football teams and bands. The Tournament of Roses Parade is just as significant to those who participate, seen by a worldwide audience on New Year’s Day. Halftime Magazine is proud to present our 4th annual photo spread showcasing the sights from both momentous events.

Bowl-A-Rama .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 The 2010 football season created a varied roster of teams for the 2011 Bowl Championship Series. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, each band worked hard to support its team at these major bowl games. Read about their programs, traditions, seasons, bowl trips and halftime shows. By Elizabeth Geli

Raising the Bar on Raising Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 In a difficult economy, nearly everyone has been forced to make cuts or find ways to bring in more income. With the end of marching season, high school bands still have an off-season filled with fundraising to help prepare for next year’s parades and field shows. By Kellie Graham

Web Exclusives

Departments

Photos of all the Rose Parade Bands • Working With a Travel Agent • The Moment: A Poem About Dame Wins Sudler Trophy; UCLA’s Lovin’ It in a New McDonald’s Ad; NAMM SchoolJam USA; Spirit of America Tours South Africa Marching at Disney Sectionals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 • Thoughts on Perfect Practice Don’t Take It Personally; Ask Questions; Time to Get Hyped!; From the • And More ... Door to the Floor for Guard Read these stories and more exclusively at Gear Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 www.halftimemag.com/articles/web-exclusives/index.html Timpani Carts by Tough Carts; New Sticks and Mallets From Vic

Publisher’s Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ReaderS’ Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Noteworthy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 V-Drums Contest; Congrats to Fall Marching Champions; Notre

Firth; King System Blue SB30 Euphonium Hybrid

Regionals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calendar of events organized by region Direct From. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps Behind the Baton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shaping a Drum Major Fitness to the Max. . . . . . . . . . . . . Building Arm Strength For Fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marching Into the Bowl

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Next Issue • Trends in Guard Costumes and Floors • Spring Festivals • Basketball Band • And More ...

Volume 5, Issue 1 January/February 2011 ISSN 1939-6171 ®

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Christine Ngeo Katzman christine@halftimemag.com (310) 594-0050

Art Director Jana Rade, impact studios

Editorial Assistant Photo courtesy of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Marching Band.

Elizabeth Geli

Editorial Interns Kellie Graham and Lydia Ness

COVER PHOTO Courtesy Tournament of Roses Archives

Contributing Writers Lane Armey, Chris Casteel, Jeff Coffin, Haley Greenwald-Gonella, Matt Jones, Jessica McKinney, Chase Sanborn

Contributing Photographers Robert Beyers, Fred Boyd, Ed and Karen Crockett, Gary Smith, Valorie Wakefield, Bob White

Web Developers Mike McCullen and Jeff Grant Integrated Communications

Advisory Board Dr. Arthur C. Bartner, University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band Tony Fox, University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band Anthony L. White, Los Angeles Unified School District Charles F. Whitaker, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism Peter G. Riherd, Entertainment Weekly Steve Goldberg, University of Southern California Marshall School of Business

Chief Technology Officer Joshua Katzman

Logo Designer Timothy Watters, Teruo Artistry Halftime Magazine is published by Muse Media, LLC P.O. Box 428738, Cincinnati, OH 45242 Phone: 310-594-0050 Fax: 310-390-5351 Website: www.halftimemag.com

Subscriptions: Halftime Magazine is published six times per year. In the United States, individual subscription price is $14.95 per year, and group subscription price is $9.95 with a minimum of 10 copies. Cover price is $4.95. Printed by Royle Printing Company in Sun Prairie, Wis. 4

appy New Year! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. Having just moved from California to Ohio, we are experiencing winter for the first time in 12 years. Our kids have built snow forts and a snowman, gone sledding and even enjoyed the wonder of a white Christmas. For me, however, visions of Pasadena danced in my head. I missed the excitement in the air, the colorful street banners and the thousands of tourists donned in their favorite collegiate sweatshirts during the week leading up to the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game. Although I personally missed being in the Rose Parade grandstands this year, Halftime Magazine was there to cover it all—from the new high school participants to the lucky college bands. To relive the magic, check out “The Granddaddy of Them All,” our 4th annual Tournament of Roses photo coverage, on page 18. Halftime Magazine also had the chance to catch up with all of the other eight BCS Bowl bands. The lineup presented some surprises and some old favorites. “Bowl-A-Rama” on page 22 covers all the highlights, from Stanford’s controversial lack of controversy to the University of Connecticut’s debut to Ohio State’s typical high-class performance. An Official Media Partner of DCI

A Grand Nationals Media Partner of Bands of America

An Official Media Partner of USSBA

Finally, as this issue commemorates college bands, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge a non-BCS band that made the headlines last month in, of all places, The Huffington Post, an Internet newspaper usually known for its political commentary. On Dec. 17, The Huffington Post linked to a video of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Marching Band’s season opener performance, which featured a stick figure kicking a football into the end zone for a field goal. The clip was taken from the University of Hawaii halftime performance on Sept. 2, 2010. The show, “Rah-Rah,” also included “Hawaii 5-0” and “This is the Moment” from “Jekyll & Hyde.” “Being the season opener, we wanted to energize the excitement and spirit of the football game and thought that this animation would be a great way to represent that idea,” says Keith Higaki, Hawaii’s director of marching bands. And so I say, “Rah-Rah” to you, University of Hawaii, and to all the collegiate bands. Watching your spirit and enthusiasm this season leaves a warm place in my heart. Until next year … Musically Yours, Christine Ngeo Katzman Publisher and Editor-in-Chief An Official Media Partner of WGI Sport of the Arts

An Official Partner of Tournament of Bands

An Official Partner of Youth in Music

Halftime Magazine exists to serve you, and we look forward to more of your comments. Send your letters to christine@halftimemag.com.

Readers’ letters As a Michigan bands(wo)man, DMA [Drum Major Academy] alumnae/IMPACT team member and friend of Mr. Parks, I can say that this man changed the marching world. I was incredibly lucky to meet him as were the rest of my fortunate friends that I met through his programs. He helped me to change my attitude and instilled in me a drive to achieve the highest. With pride, Mr. Parks! — Kayla MacLennan

The article “Starred Thoughts” [November/December 2010] was wonderfully done, and as a 2010 DMA [Drum Major Academy] veteran, literally brought a tear to my eye. — Rachel Sze

I read your article about the 2010 DCI championship [September/October 2010], and I really was interested in the two portions over The Cavaliers and The Blue Devils. I personally am a fan of The Cavaliers and was disappointed when they didn’t win. But thanks for your insight into the decision of the judges and The Blue Devils corps. Love your magazine. — Harris I had the privilege to be part of the 2009 Bands of America Honor Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade, which impacted my life in a tremendous way. Thanks to George N. Parks—may he rest in peace—and the whole Music for All staff, I found my passion. If it weren’t for Music for All, I would have not met so many talented players, who I still keep in contact with, from all over the United States. It was truly a life-changing experience that I will never forget, and it was all thanks to Music for All. — Jesus Sanchez, alto saxophone 2009 Bands of America Honor Band

By Elizabeth Geli

V-Drums Contest

Who is the nation’s best drummer? A new contest put on by Roland crowned a winner—Go-Go Ray of Kansas City, Mo. “It’s been a long road; that’s all I can say,” Go-Go Ray said as he addressed the audience upon winning. “I made the prelims, started learning some things, did pretty good in Denver, and to win this is just unbelievable. All I can say is, ‘Thank you,’ and I hope you really enjoyed what was in my heart.” The National V-Drums Contest, cosponsored by DRUM! Magazine, Remo, Drum Workshop and Blue Man Group, awarded the grand prize winner with the TD-20SX V-Pro Series V-Drums Kit, PM-30 Personal Monitor Amplifier, DW 9000-Series: Hi-Hat Stand, Snare Stand, Double Pedal, Throne, Remo Custom shell wraps and a featured profile in DRUM! Magazine. “We have a long history of electronic percussion, drum kits, hand percussion and marching,” says Amanda Whiting, marketing communications manager at Roland. “And so we felt this was a great way to excite our customers and to get people who may not know a lot about electronic drums interested.” Digital auditions were submitted through Aug. 31, and 15 participants for each of the 28 preliminary round locations were selected. One winner from each continued to six regional rounds, and the winners from each of those traveled to Las Vegas for the finals. A panel of judges evaluated competitors on technique, style, stage presence, overall creativity, creative use of technology and effectiveness of performance. The national finals in Las Vegas included celebrity judges and guest performances by Blue Man Group and Thomas Lang. Visit www.rolandus.com/vdrumscontest to view finalists’ performances. 8

Congrats to Fall Marching Champions Marching season is over, and attention is now shifting to concert band, jazz band, indoor percussion and winter guard. Here’s a recap of who took home some of the nation’s top honors in fall marching band competition for 2010. The Bands of America Grand National Championships crowned familiar winners as Music for All celebrated its 35th anniversary. Avon (Ind.) High School took home a third straight championship as well as the award for Outstanding General Effect and Outstanding Music Performance. Second place and Outstanding Visual Performance went to Broken Arrow (Okla.) High School and third place to L.D. Bell High School from Hurst, Texas. Winners also included Tarpon Springs (Fla.) High School for class AAA, Marian Catholic High School from Chicago Heights, Ill., in class AA, and Bourbon County High School from Paris, Ky., in class A. The U.S. Scholastic Band Association named the following championship bands at its end-of-year events: Group VI, George Walton High School from Marietta, Ga.; Group V, Dartmouth (Mass.) High School; Group IV, Nazareth (Pa.) Area High School; Group III, Rancocas Valley Regional High School from Mt. Holly, N.J.; Group II, Williamstown (N.J.) High School; Group I, Perkiomen Valley High School from Collegeville, Pa. Tournament of Bands and the Atlantic Coast Championships took place on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7. In TOB the winners were: 3-A, Middletown (Pa.) High School; 2-A, Archbishop Wood High School from Warminster, Pa.; 1-A, Catasauqua (Pa.) High School. The Atlantic Coast Champions included: 4-Open, Spring-Ford High School from Royersford, Pa.; 3-Open, West Deptford (N.J.) High School; 2-Open, Brick (N.J.) Memorial High School; 1-Open, Biglerville (Pa.) High School. Cavalcade of Bands recognized A and Open champions in four divisions. Liberty division: A, Manheim (Pa.) Central High School; Open, Southern Regional High School from Manahawkin, N.J. American division: A, Blue Mountain High School from Schuylkill Haven, Pa.; Open, Greencastle-Antrim High School from Greencastle, Pa. Yankee division: A, Cheltenham High School from Wyncote, Pa.; Open, Spring-Ford High School from Royersford, Pa. Independence division: A, Crestwood High School from Mountain Top, Pa.; Open, Pittston High School from Yatesville, Pa. The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) Marching Percussion Festival features high school and college percussion groups and individual competitors. Paris (Texas) High School took first place in the high school standstill division and Texas State University in San Marcos won the college small ensemble competition.

Notre Dame Wins Sudler Trophy

UCLA’s Lovin’ It in a New McDonald’s Ad

Photo courtesy of the University of Notre Dame Band.

The University of Notre Dame Band from South Bend, Ind., has joined the esteemed ranks of Sudler Trophy winners. The biannual award given by the John Philip Sousa Foundation recognizes “collegiate marching bands of particular excellence that have made outstanding contributions to the American way of life.” Bands may only win once. “It took a long time to get the band considered for the award,” says Dr. Ken Dye, director of bands. “Since I had been at the school 13 years now, it was a good outside recognition of the amount of work that went into improving the band.”

In its 165-year history, the Band of the Fighting Irish has played for troops leaving campus since the Civil War. In recent years it has instituted the Bandlink program, giving music lessons and running bands in underprivileged areas. “It was the collective work of the band staff, the students and the support of the alumni that helped the band improve,” Dye says. “The size of the band is bigger; the general musicality and intensity of the band has improved.” The Sousa Foundation has updated its procedures over the last few years—making the award biannual instead of annual and enacting a lengthier selection process including nominations, submission of supporting materials and voting. “The students were pleased to hear of outside recognition of the hard work they’ve put in through the years,” Dye says. “But I don’t think they know the amount of work that goes into getting materials together and know the number of years it takes to build a program. When they hear about it in the fall, it will be more obvious.” In December, Notre Dame was announced as the winner at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. The Sousa Foundation will present the trophy at a fall football game, to be determined. “There are a lot of awards that athletic programs and academic programs get,” Dye says. “But there really isn’t anything given to bands, and this is something that is outside of the university that recognizes the college band.”

Did somebody say McDonald’s? The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruin Marching Band appeared in a commercial as a marching band that deserved a break and said, “I’m lovin’ it!” to some Chicken McNuggets. “We received a call from a casting company asking if we would be willing to be in a commercial,” says Keith Kupper, assistant band director. “As the technical advisor, I created the drill for the overhead shot, and I advised the [commercial’s] director on what I thought would look best on camera for the close-ups. We had a rehearsal two nights before the shoot where the director and advising team had us show them what we were capable of.” Casting directors interviewed students from “The Solid Gold Sound” to determine which of them would get to act in the close-up shots. On the day of filming, the band arrived at 8 p.m. and rehearsed and filmed different formations, then filmed the close-up shots until its dinner break at midnight. “After dinner we went into the shot where the band is surrounding the table of Chicken McNuggets and asking for a few from the ‘hero girl,’” Kupper says. “We finished the shoot at about 5:30 a.m. and departed back for UCLA where students had class the next day.” The students received typical union scale pay including some overtime. According to Kupper the students were enthusiastic despite the cold temperatures and long hours. “The casting agency and producers were so happy to have us and were so complimentary of our continuous enthusiasm throughout the morning hours,” Kupper says. “They repeatedly told me what a great group of students we have and how wonderful they were to work with.” The airing of the commercial corresponded with bowl game frenzy, including during the Tournament of Roses Parade. The UCLA Band recently appeared in films such as “500 Days of Summer” (2009), “Click” (2006) and “Gridiron Gang” (2006).

January/February 2011 9

Ultimate Music Room Makeover Band director Doug Brown and his students at William Campbell Combined School in Naruna, Va., received the “Ultimate Music Room Makeover,” thanks to an essay contest sponsored by In Tune Monthly magazine and MENC: The National Association for Music Education. “It was amazing; I never really believed it was true until the prizes started coming in,” Brown says. Brown submitted an essay about how outsourcing had negatively impacted the former factory community and left many local families struggling. He also included some writing from students about what winning the contest would mean to them. “The kids already feel a sense of accomplishment on winning the essay,” Brown says. “It changes the way they play because they have a lot more confidence. We also have more quality instruments in the band room, so it helps the overall sound, and it gives a sense of accomplishment and sense of worth for the band program.” The “Pride of the Southside” band received $40,000 in musical instruments, software, recording equipment and performance gear from contest sponsors Buffet Crampon, Notion, Pearl, Peavey, Pro-Mark, PRS, Roland, Shure, Woodwind & Brasswind, Yamaha and Zildjian. “Getting those instruments in the students’ hands is like Christmas morning,” Brown says. “We all remember the first time we got our first really nice instrument, and when you get to give that to someone else, it’s just great.” 10

Spirit of America Tours South Africa

Photo courtesy of Spirit of America.

NAMM SchoolJam USA Some of the nation’s top teen bands include marching band students. NAMM’s SchoolJam USA competition rewards the best teen music group along with their school’s music program. “NAMM believes that kids who study music in school do better in school and in life,” says Scott Robertson, NAMM’s director of marketing and communications. Starting in August, bands submitted their songs online, and 48 bands moved onto the semi-finals stage, with 10 advancing to finals. Finalists performed during the NAMM show in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 15 and were judged by a guest panel including Stan Freese, talent and booking director with Disney. The winner received a trip to Germany for the SchoolJam festival, $1,000 in cash and $5,000 for the school music program. Some of the finalist groups include students that also participate in their school’s marching band. “Marching band and being in a concert or school band, you read music and learn skills you can bring into other music that you play,” says Brennon Trant, lead vocalist and drummer for the rock band Uprising from Raceland, La., and a trombone player in Central Lafourche High School Band. Ska group Orpheus includes trumpet player Adam Fulwiler. “[Marching band] helped me by teaching me how to play as a team and not by yourself,” says Fulwiler, who marches at West De Pere (Wis.) High School. “You learn how to keep time and internalize the music and the beat.” Although there are no marching groups in the final stages of the competition, Robertson encourages them to try out in the future. “While most of the bands are in the rock genre, the competition is about music making of all forms,” Robertson says. “Actually one good way to differentiate from a field of similar competitors would be to do something entirely different.”

In September, a new field and parade band will be created in Durban, South Africa, courtesy of the Spirit of America, an all-age community marching band based in Orleans, Mass. “Our mission is really to youth, the youth in our band or the youth our band goes and works with,” says David Ortolani, public relations and booking agent. “That’s why we’re going to South Africa. There’s a real need for that kind of hopeful and exciting interaction, which is why we’re super excited.” Founded in the 1970’s, the organization fields a marching band, wind ensemble, fife and drum unit, and winter percussion group. Participants range in age from 10 to 60. “It’s a community band; it’s all volunteer performance membership,” Ortolani says. “It really started as a group that got together on one weekend for fun, and the town heard about it and asked them to play a parade, and it grew from there.” On its South African tour, the group will give workshops in Durban, creating a field and parade band at the Ekhaya Multi Arts Center as well as performing its hour-long field show, “Exploration!,” for the local youth. Smaller groups of instructors and band members will return several times over the next five years to ensure the growth of the new program. The band will also travel to Johannesburg to perform ticketed shows of its indoor stage production, “The Fall and Rise of the Phoenix.” It will also conduct free workshops and matinee performances for local youth. Spirit of America is currently fundraising and preparing for the trip. It is also collecting and repairing donations of used instruments for its newly created “Re-Sound” program to provide instruments to young people in South Africa as well as the United States and throughout the world. The Re-Sound program is based on the premise that “one trombone forgotten in an attic or one clarinet found in a basement can be the inspiration a child needs. Every child deserves a chance to play, and every instrument needs to be played.” “There are lots of instruments sitting out there unused across the United States,” Ortolani says. “Many of us in the band field can understand what music can do for a person. In a sense, [the instrument’s] voice isn’t being heard, and they can be put into the hands of a child who needs it.” For more information about Spirit of America, check out www.spiritofamericaband.org.

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Don’t Take It Personally By Jeff Coffin

We have probably all had “off” times on stage or in a musical situation. As well, we have probably all had “on” times too. What can you do when someone comes up to you after a gig and pays you a compliment or a criticism? Personal Experiences. I was in a situation once when someone from the audience told me that I had “ruined” a standard by playing so much over it. He felt I had not paid close enough attention to the melody, and the way I had played ruined his listening experience. I thought he was coming over to say he had enjoyed himself and to pay me a compliment. Quite a different situation than I thought it was going to be. I found myself stammering and trying to explain what I had been thinking while I was playing and how, as artists, we are supposed to push the envelope and try new things, etc. What I should have done was to say, “I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it, but I hope you’ll come back again.” “Just Say, ‘Thanks’”. Conversely, I have had people come to me after a show and tell me how much they enjoyed it, and I felt like I’d had a terrible night. I would sometimes qualify what they said by talking about how I was “off” and that I hadn’t played very well, possibly making them feel they didn’t really have the experience they thought they had. A friend of mine told me once that if someone comes to you after a performance to pay a compliment, regardless of how you felt about the experience, “Just say, ‘Thanks.’” If someone doesn’t like what or how you played, be courteous as well. You cannot control how people experience what you do. If you are working hard and are prepared, be OK with what people think. Not taking compliments or criticism too seriously is important. You may start believing what they say! And as the great Ornette Coleman once said: “All listeners are equal in their opinions.”

About the Author Jeff Coffin is the three-time Grammy Award winning saxophonist of Dave Mathews Band and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. In addition, Jeff leads his own group, The Mu’tet, which takes its name from the word “mutation,” giving way to Jeff’s belief that music is constantly changing and mutating. As a highly in-demand clinician, Jeff has presented worldwide in places from Farmington, Maine, to Perth, Australia. He is also an internationally acclaimed Yamaha and Vandoren Performing Artist. To hear Jeff’s original music, visit www.jeffcoffin.com or iTunes.

brass

winds

Leading instructors provide practical tips for each section of the band.

Ask Questions By Chase Sanborn

“Questions, comments, complaints, thoughts, observations, revelations?” This line is familiar to all my students; it is the opening gambit at each lesson. The purpose is twofold: to involve the student in the learning process and to remind the teacher to listen. Students and teachers are partners with the same goal: You seek information; we have the information you seek (hopefully). Effectively transferring that information is the challenge facing both of us. Student-Teacher Contract. I will freely offer any information I have, help you determine what information you need and will try to find the most effective way to communicate the information. You will not sit like a bump on a log waiting to be spoon-fed but will be an active participant in the learning process, thinking for yourself and asking questions. During Practice Time. Doctors know that if they listen, the patient will tell them what’s wrong. By encouraging you to share your thoughts at the outset of the lesson, the teacher reminds himself that he must concentrate on what you need. If you have no questions, comments, etc., it indicates that you are not thinking enough when you practice. Mindless hours of lip slurs and long tones will not get you where you want to go. In the search for quality sound, you must concentrate and search for subtle cues that guide you to the most efficient use of your body. This way of practicing should provide plenty of fodder for the lesson. Often, a single question can provide the foundation for an entire session. Arrive prepared. In Group Settings. A clinic is always more sparked when the teacher invites and provokes questions, following the thread of audience interest. On one clinic tour, I passed out a list of 80 suggested questions to get the ball rolling. Like a menu, participants could “order” by number. Every session was different and lively. My improvisation students at the University of Toronto are required to email a question prior to each class. When I address the questions in class, an interesting discussion is guaranteed. So help your teachers help you. Ask questions!

About the Author Chase Sanborn is a jazz trumpet player based in Toronto. He is on the faculty at the University of Toronto and is the author of “Brass Tactics,” “Jazz Tactics,” “Tuning Tactics” and “Music Business Tactics.” Chase is a Yamaha Artist. Visit his website at www.chasesanborn.com.

By Lane Armey

Long before characters in the “Drumline” movie began chanting, “One Band, One Sound,” folks in the marching band and marching percussion universe have known that groups that stay together, play together … or to put it more simply, if you are friends with your fellow musicians, you are going to be a better unit. Drum lines are famous (or infamous) for ways in which they encourage bonding, notably through hypes. What’s a hype? It’s whatever you do to get your drum line fired up to rehearse, to perform and to have a good time. Don’t think your group is hyped up enough? Well then keep reading! Wear It on Your Sleeve. If you don’t own a dozen T-shirts and hats with your drum line’s logo and name on ‘em, then you best get designing! Often the easiest way to show your unity is to print up a shirt to showcase your talents around town. Your band jacket definitely counts too. But it definitely doesn’t have to be that complicated. Some matching 99-cent bandanas can do the trick. In the extreme examples, I’ve seen plenty of drum corps lines wear the same pair of shorts every single day for a summer—an awesome way to demonstrate your cohesiveness—just buy more than one pair please. Mascots and More. What better way to hype than channeling your energy through a stuffed Pooh bear, one-eyed skull or plastic giraffe water bottle? Trust me that all three work wonders. Having that special item or mascot that is unique to your group can be fun and create inside jokes. At the end of the day, whatever (within reason) brings a section together as friends will pay high dividends down the road in how you play and how successful you are. So whether it’s a special handshake, a cheer you do before taking the field or just adding a ton of cool visuals to your show, get hyped.

About the Author Lane Armey is the battery percussion coordinator for Homestead High School in Cupertino, Calif. During the past 10 years, he has worked with various groups including Northwestern University and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.

guard

percussion

Time to Get Hyped!

From the Door to the Floor By Chris Casteel

Winter guard season is upon us and with it brings an entirely new performance perspective. The audience and judges are no longer several feet away; now they are face to face with each individual performer. If you are one of those people who get “butterflies” or preshow jitters, this article is for you. If there is one place that you will experience anxiety, it is between the gym door and the performance floor. Outside the Door. Let’s be honest, standing outside the gymnasium door, waiting to enter into competition, is pretty much “ground zero” for nerves. Hearts start to race, rate of breath increases, and hands get clammy. Even the most experienced World Class performers face pressure at this point. When standing at the gym door, allow yourself to expect and grow accustomed to the heightened level of excitement. Use a breathing exercise that will help calm your nerves. Breathing in from your abdomen, inhale through your nose and count slowly to five. Next, hold your breath for five counts and then release it for five counts. When you have finished, take two breaths in your normal rhythm and repeat the exercise again. While doing this exercise, close your eyes and focus your thoughts on only the positive. Envision an amazing performance in which you experience every moment with precision, emotion and confidence. The Performance Floor. The next step is getting through the door. Look at and get to know your audience. In essence, “make friends” with your audience at this point. You should strive to feel as comfortable as possible in this environment, and this is the time to do so. Smile and realize the simple reason you perform … to entertain the audience. As you set your equipment, trust in your training. As the music begins, breathe, be present in the performance and enjoy.

About the Author Chris Casteel has been involved in the color guard activity since 1981 as a performer and an instructor. She has a master’s degree in education. She has instructed several medaling guards for the Winter Guard Association of Southern California (WGASC). Currently, Chris is an adjudicator for the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association and the WGASC as well as a guest adjudicator for many other circuits. She also holds the position of education coordinator for the WGASC.

January/February 2011 13

Timpani Carts by Tough Carts

By Kellie Graham

ough Carts has rolled out its new, heavy-duty Timpani Cart. These carts are made of heavy metal with extra bracing and use 8-inch pneumatic tires that can stand up against the toughest terrains. The Timpani Cart consists of two individual carts with four wheels on one platform and three wheels on the other. Each platform is 33 inches wide and 71 inches long to

Check out the following cool products before your next practice, show or competition.

easily fit through doorways. The cart requires one minute or less to set up and take down and has one quick-release pin to connect and disconnect the platforms. This type of connector allows each cart to ride on uneven terrain without affecting the other cart. “Its quick, one-minute setup/takedown times are probably its best feature,” says Morris Horn of Tough Carts. “It really only takes less than one second! This can be a blessing when it comes to the timed performances you have at field shows.” The Timpani Cart also has a removable tow bar to make transport easier and a slide-away 32-inch, disappearing performer’s platform. The Timpani Cart can easily support four timpani and has nine D-Rings per platform to securely tie the timpani onto the cart. For more information, visit www.toughcartsbuilder.com.

King System Blue SB30 Euphonium Hybrid

New Sticks and Mallets from Vic Firth

ic Firth recently introduced a number of new sticks and mallets relevant to the marching world. The Ralph Hardimon “Hammer” has the profile of a scaled-down Hardimon snare stick made in Sta-Pac for added weight and sound production. The Ralph Hardimon “Chop-Out” is the same stick with a rubber tip, ideal for the ultimate practice. “When thinking about chop building, I knew there was something unique we could bring forth,” stated Hardimon, Drum Corps International Hall of Famer and current percussion arranger for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, in a press release. The 5B “Chop-Out” medium-sized stick features a hickory shaft with an elongated taper to simulate the balance of the 5B with a rubber tip for practicing. And the Stefon Harris Signature Keyboard Mallet improves playability with a smaller head size and an increased length. “This new mallet is half the weight without sacrificing the depth of tone,” said jazz vibraphonist-composer Harris in a press release. “It allows for much more facility when playing with four mallets and is very well balanced

for a relaxed, rhythmic feel. As a result of using the new mallet, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in rhythmic feel, phrasing and velocity in my own playing.” In other industry news, Vic Firth announced in December its merger with cymbal manufacturer the Avedis Zildjian Company. “This union represents a unique opportunity to leverage our respective leadership positions in the drumstick and cymbal categories,” said President Vic Firth in a press release. Zildjian CEO Craigie Zildjian echoed the sentiment in the release: “Similarities in our cultures and business philosophies, coupled with a shared dedication to product and service excellence, provide a strong foundation for the union of our two companies.” For more information, visit www.vicfirth.com.

xcitement is building around the King System Blue SB30 Euphonium Hybrid and the possibilities it creates. The SB30 is a marching instrument with a smaller frame that sounds, plays and projects like a normal-sized euphonium with the size and weight of a marching baritone. “The instrument feels like a baritone to the player’s hands,” says Bo Clifton, Conn-Selmer’s director of product marketing for background and marching brass. “It’s going to be a blessing to high school and collegiate marching programs since they will finally have a true marching euphonium that can be played and handled easily by their students. The SB30 eliminates a number of challenges that many low brass players face when marching. Its superior balance, lightweight frame and ease of use combine to create a world-class playing experience.” Designed in conjunction with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps and caption head John Meehan, “the SB30 Euphonium Hybrid along with the new System Blue SBEU euphonium mouthpiece will give players and directors alike an unmatched look, feel and performance,” Clifton says. For more information, visit www.kingsofthefield.com/systemblue or www.systemblue.org.

Major Events by Region West WGI Guard Feb 12—Etiwanda, CA—Rancho Cucamonga Regional Feb 26—Ceres, CA—Ceres Regional Mar 12—Gilbert, AZ—Phoenix Regional Mar 19—Broomfield, CO—Denver Regional Mar 19—Union City, CA—Union City Regional Mar 26-27—San Diego, CA—Western Color Guard Championship

WGI Percussion Feb 12—Modesto, CA—Ceres Regional Feb 19—Chino Hills, CA—Chino Hills Regional Mar 12—Union City, CA—Union City Regional Mar 12—Gilbert, AZ—Phoenix Regional Mar 19—Northglenn, CO—Denver Regional Mar 26-27—San Bernardino, CA—Western Percussion Championship

Tradeshows Jan 13-16—Anaheim, CA—NAMM Jan 14-16—Eugene, OR—Oregon MEA Jan 16-18—Cody, WY—Wyoming MEA Jan 26-29—Colorado Springs, CO—Colorado MEA Feb 4-5—St. George, UT—Utah MEA Feb 17-21—MENC Northwest Division Conference Feb 17-20—Fresno, CA—California Association for Music Education Feb 25-26—Kane’ohe Bay, HI—Hawaii MEA

Midwest WGI Guard Feb 12—Edwardsville, IL—St. Louis Regional Feb 19-20—Indianapolis, IN—Indianapolis Regional Mar 5-6—Kettering, OH—Dayton Regional Apr 7-9—Dayton, OH—Color Guard World Championships

WGI Percussion Feb 12—Troy, MI—Troy Regional Feb 19-20—Indianapolis, IN—Indianapolis Regional Feb 26—TBA, OH—Dayton Regional Feb 26—Eagan, MN—Minneapolis Regional Apr 14-16—Dayton, OH—Percussion World Championships 16

Tradeshows Jan 20-22—Fort Wayne, IN—Indiana MEA Jan 20-22—Grand Rapids, MI—Michigan MEA Jan 26-29—Peoria, IL—Illinois MEA Jan 26-29—Osage Beach, MO—Missouri MEA Jan 27-29—Cincinnati, OH—MENC North Division Conference and Ohio MEA Feb 17-19—Minneapolis, MN—Minnesota MEA Mar 20-22—Bismarck, ND—North Dakota MEA

Northeast WGI Guard Feb 12—North Huntingdon, PA—Pittsburgh Regional Feb 12—Salem, MA—Salem Regional Feb 19—Liverpool, NY—Liverpool Regional Mar 5—Monmouth Junction, NJ—South Brunswick Regional Mar 19-20—Kingston, RI—Eastern Color Guard Championship

WGI Percussion Mar 5—Trumbull, CT—Trumbull Regional Mar 26—Norristown, PA—Norristown Regional

USSBA Indoor Feb 5—TBA—South New Jersey (Clinic) Feb 12—TBA—North New Jersey Feb 12—Pennsauken, NJ—Pennsauken HS Feb 19—Norristown, PA—Norristown HS Feb 26—Lansdale, PA—North Penn HS Mar 5—TBA—North New Jersey Mar 12—Bridgewater, NJ—Bridgewater-Raritan HS Mar 12—Woodstown, NJ—Woodstown HS Mar 12—Bensalem, PA—Bensalem HS Mar 12—Stratford, CT—Bunnell HS Mar 19—Old Bridge, NJ—Old Bridge HS Mar 19—Stamford, CT—Westhill HS Mar 26—Fair Lawn, NJ—Fair Lawn HS Mar 26—TBA—Maryland Apr 2—Upper Darby, PA—Upper Darby HS Apr 2—Leonardtown, MD—Leanordtown HS Apr 9—Burlington City, NJ—Burlington City HS Apr 9—Pompton Plains, NJ—Pequannock Township HS Apr 16—Trenton, NJ—USSBA Indoor Championships

Tradeshows Feb 24-26—East Brunswick, NJ—New Jersey MEA Mar 24-26—Boston, MA—Massachusetts MEA

Mar 31-Apr 3—Baltimore, MD—MENC Eastern Division Conference

South WGI Guard Feb 5—Powhatan, VA—Richmond Regional Feb 19—Houston, TX—Houston Regional Feb 26—Fayetteville, GA—Atlanta Regional Feb 26-27—Orlando, FL—Orlando Regional Mar 5—Kyle, TX—Austin Regional Mar 12—Cantonment, FL—Pensacola Regional Mar 12—Clayton, NC—Raleigh Regional Mar 19-20—Haltom City, TX—Southwestern Color Guard Championship Mar 26-27—Nashville, TN—Mid-South Color Guard Championship Mar 26-27—Orlando, FL—Southeastern Color Guard Championship

WGI Percussion Feb 26—Apopka, FL—Orlando Regional Mar 5—Powhatan, VA—Richmond Regional Mar 5—Roebuck, SC—Spartanburg Regional Mar 12—Boca Raton, FL—Boca Raton Regional Mar 19-20—Chattanooga, TN—Mid-South Percussion Championship Mar 26—Cantonment, FL—Pensacola Regional

USSBA Indoor Feb 5—TBD—Northern Virginia Mar 12—Warrenton, VA—Fauquier HS

HBCU Jan 29—Atlanta, GA—Honda Battle of the Bands

Tradeshows Jan 19-22—Tulsa, OK—Oklahoma MEA Jan 20-22—Montgomery, AL—Alabama MEA Jan 27-29—Savannah, GA—Georgia MEA Feb 9-12—Louisville, KY—Kentucky MEA Feb 3-5—Charleston, SC—South Carolina MEA Feb 9-12—San Antonio, TX—Texas MEA Feb 24-26—Wichita, KS—Kansas MEA Mar 24-27—Huntington, WV—West Virginia MEA

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The Grandda of Them All Parade photos by Lydia Ness. Game photos courtesy of Tournament of Roses Archives and Gary Smith.

As the oldest bowl, the Rose Bowl Game has been officially nicknamed the “Granddaddy of Them All,” bringing great recognition to the selected football teams and bands. The Tournament of Roses Parade is just as significant to those who participate, seen by a worldwide audience on New Year’s Day. Halftime Magazine is proud to present our 4th annual photo spread showcasing the sights from both momentous events. 18

addy The 122nd Tournament of Roses Parade presented by Honda featured the theme “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories.” For the bands selected for the parade, this theme certainly rang true.

THE Parade Pictured (clockwise from left): Pasadena (Calif.) City College Honor Band; Banda Musical Delfines from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico; El Dorado High School Colorguard and Drumline from Placentia, Calif.; and the Sousaphone Band from the Namco Bandai Games America Inc. (Pac-Man) float.

Participating

Bands

More than 50 musical groups compete for 16 openings every year, according to the Tournament of Roses website. The following 23 marching groups (several receive automatic invitations) performed in the 2011 Rose Parade. • Albertville (Ala.) High School • All Birdville High Schools representing Birdville, Haltom and Richland High Schools of North Richland Hills, Texas • Banda Musical Delfines from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico • Cal Fire Pipes and Drums from Sacramento, Calif. • The Pipes and Drums of California Professional Firefighters from Sacramento, Calif. • Central Carroll High School from Carrollton, Ga. • Downingtown (Pa.) High School East and West Campus • El Dorado High School Colorguard and Drumline • Lindbergh High School from St. Louis, Mo. • Londonderry (N.H.) High School • Los Angeles Unified School District All District Honor Band • North Carolina Central University from Durham, N.C. • North Japan Honor Green Band • Owasso (Okla.) High School • Pasadena (Calif.) City College Honor Band and Herald Trumpets • Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band • Southwest Dekalb High School from Decatur, Ga. • Texas Christian University Marching Band from Forth Worth, Texas • United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band • University of Wisconsin Marching Band from Madison, Wis. • Upland (Calif.) High School • Western Carolina University from Cullowhee, N.C. • Wyoming All State January/February 2011 19

Led by director Brian Youngblood, the Texas Christian University Horned Frog Marching Band from Fort Worth, Texas, performed “Boot, Scootin’ Boogie,” “Deep in the Heart of Texas“ and “Malaguena” for halftime. Typically, TCU learns one long field show that it uses for exhibitions and performs segments for each halftime throughout the season. For pregame, the band performed a typical version of its show along with the national anthem. As part of bowl preparations, the TCU band purchased new uniforms, designed by Fred J. Miller, to coordinate in the football team’s white and purple compared to the previously preferred black and purple. “We represent a great football team and university, and it’s a small campus, but we get so many great chances,” says drum major Hannah Harvey. “It’s really exciting to get this experience doing what I love with people that I love.”

The 97th Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio pitted No. 3 Texas Christian University (TCU) against No. 5 Wisconsin University. Though TCU emerged victorious, winning 21 to 19, both bands put on great performances and held their heads up high in support of their teams.

THE Game 20

While celebrating its 125th anniversary, the University of Wisconsin Marching Band from Madison, Wis., paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of Motown during its halftime show. For pregame, the band performed a modified version of its traditional show. Director Michael Leckrone says the band has emerged stronger than ever after the hazing allegations and suspension in 2008. “One of the things the band has done very well was take ownership of the fact that there were a few people that were doing things that were bad for our image, and they made sure that didn’t happen anymore,” he says. “There’s been a lot of self-policing and self-motivation. This bowl game and success is kind of a reward for how they approached those things. I think everyone is pleased with where we are now.” January/February 2011 21

By Elizabeth Geli Photo courtesy of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band.

The 2010 football season created a varied roster of teams for the 2011 Bowl Championship Series. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, each band worked hard to support its team at these major bowl games. Read about their programs, traditions, seasons, bowl trips and halftime shows.

Photo courtesy of the Auburn University Marching Band.

About the Author

Elizabeth Geli is an editorial assistant at Halftime Magazine. She has played flute and marched at Valencia High School in Placentia, Calif., and in the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, where she is currently a teaching assistant. She has a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in print journalism and a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) from USC.

BCS National Championship There was no time for a siesta at the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game played in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 10, 2011, between top-ranked Auburn University—winning 22 to 19—and the University of Oregon. While both schools have consistently traveled for bowl games, neither had played for the national championship in the past.

Auburn University Marching Band

ll eyes were on the Auburn (Ala.) Tigers this year as the team completed an undefeated season led by controversial Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cameron Newton. For the band, the season was marked by the support and closeness of the “Auburn Family.” Drum major James Earl Corley cites the Rookie Auburn Tigers, or “R.A.T.” program, as one reason for the band’s success. Freshmen are paired with older members, called R.A.T. Moms and Dads, to help them adjust. The band also enjoys a close relationship with the football team. “The athletic department ... wanted the band to start playing ‘Lean on Me’ because the team had a tradition of singing it in the locker room,” Corley says. “At two of the games, the team came over to the band and got

involved and got up on the ladder. We support the team no matter what the scoreboard says, and it’s a great feeling when they reciprocate.” The BCS National Championship brings new attention to Auburn and the band. “So many eyes are on Auburn University right now because of the success of the team and the environment here,” says band director Dr. Corey Spurlin. “Not only do we have the 86,000 in the stadium but also those on television. We’ve seized the opportunity to promote our university and share what is great about it and the state of Alabama. The band really shines when they have an opportunity.” The band performed an animationthemed halftime show featuring “Looney Tunes,” “The Jetsons,” “The Flintstones,” “Family Guy” and “Shrek.”

Photo courtesy of the Auburn University Marching Band.

“It’s an experience that’s really hard to put into words,” Corley says. “I never would have imagined that I’d be drum major or going to the National Championship while leading this band. It’s the experience of a lifetime, and I’m not going to take anything for granted.”

University of Oregon Marching Band

ince director Dr. Eric Wiltshire came to the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore., five years ago, every year the football team and the band have gone “one bowl better.” After last year’s Rose Bowl win, he joked they’d be going to the National Championship. Turns out that was no joke. “When we won the Civil War [Oregon’s final game against rival Oregon State University] and realized we were going

Photo courtesy of the University of Oregon Marching Band.

to the National Championship, there were people who burst into tears; they were so happy,” says drum major Chris Burkhardt. “We’re in a territory that the school and the band have never been before.” Oregon is definitely a more modern band. Because of the university’s partnership with Nike, the band wears a track suit/warm-up uniform with a baseball cap. “It’s a Nike-designed uniform that the students absolutely love, but it’s not your traditional military-designed uniform.” Wiltshire says. Since its Rose Bowl performance in 2010, the band has experienced considerable growth, with 100 freshmen in a band of 220 total. For its National Championship halftime show, the band played music from the movie “Avatar.” The band has a unique relationship with the football team. When coach Chip Kelly introduced a new motto,

“Win the Day,” the band incorporated it into its pregame show. “Chip Kelly’s football teams are incredibly focused, so we don’t interact with them in any real direct way,” Wiltshire says. “We don’t play a lot on offense, and we just stay out of their way because they zoom by real fast. The defense enjoys having our sound behind them. If we can distract the opposing offense, that’s part of our job, so we play a lot while on defense.” Burkhardt describes the relationship as brotherly. “It’s kind of like we’re the little brother looking up to the football team—we’re watching them all the time, wanting to be like them and do well,” Burkhardt says. “Our goal is to play loud enough to earn them a point per game or by getting the other team to call a timeout or something. We feel like we’re a part of them.” January/February 2011 23

Sugar BOWL The Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 4, 2011, resulted in sweet victory for Ohio State, with a score of 31 to 26 against the University of Arkansas. Both bands appreciated the opportunity to perform for their teams, for the large crowds and for each other.

The Ohio State University Marching Band

Photo courtesy of The Ohio State University Marching Band/Ed & Karen Crockett.

he Ohio State Buckeyes football team from Columbus, Ohio, is no stranger to bowl games, having competed in a BCS bowl—including two national championship games—every year since 2006. But that success hasn’t spoiled the

marching band, known as “The Best Damn Band in the Land,” which cherishes every opportunity. “There are very few years that we don’t go to a bowl game, and no matter where we go, the band will always be there,” says assistant squad leader Justin Crawford. Football coach Jim Tressel has such a close relationship with the band that when he heard the band wasn’t going to any away games this season, he began making phone calls until they were allowed to travel with the team to Minnesota. For the band’s seniors, this Sugar Bowl trip was a return to New Orleans, where they went in 2008 for the BCS National Championship Game. “It’s one of the great bowl games and a good payoff for the students at the end of the season,” says director Dr. Jon R. Woods. “Over the years the trips have

gotten shorter because of the economy, but we try to make sure they have free time, so they can enjoy themselves. The camaraderie between the students is important, and we make sure they have a good time as well as work hard.” At the Sugar Bowl, bands had more time during pregame than at halftime, so Ohio State performed its traditional pregame show, with a double “Script Ohio,” during halftime. During pregame, they performed what would normally be a halftime show, “A Tribute to Stan Kenton.” “Performing for a crowd where the majority of people haven’t seen us before is a really cool thing,” Crawford says. “I feel like I am the most blessed person in the world to have this experience. Being a first-generation college student and being able to see all things for the first time has been an absolute privilege and an incredible journey.”

University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band

he University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band from Fayetteville, Ark., is big—figuratively and literally. At 353 members (a 10% increase from the previous year), the band makes up 2% of the total student body. “There’s a strong tradition of bands due to Eldon Janzen, previous director, and now the strength of the football team and SEC,” says Dr. Chris Knighten, director. “Almost all of our students in the band are on some type of scholarship from the band department.” Knighten believes the band’s success is also due to the fact that the university is the state’s only top division football school, it has strong recruitment from Oklahoma and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the band gets to travel more than most. A portion of the band goes to every away game, and the entire band trav24

els to two games at its secondary home stadium in Little Rock—three hours away—as well as any bowl game. The marching band also enjoys a very friendly relationship with the football team. “We have an event called the Razorback Band Spectacular, and this year six football players joined us for the performance,” Knighten says. “Some of them had been in high school band or drum line. They came out to play and all got into that together.” Unlike most bands whose members return to their school and then fly or bus to their bowl games, the Razorbacks travelled in two bus caravans— one starting in Arkansas and one in East Texas—that picked up students in different cities on the way to New Orleans. At the Sugar Bowl, the band performed a halftime show featuring the

Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band.

music of Led Zeppelin as well as a shortened version of its traditional pregame show. “We’re just really excited to be included in a bowl like this,” Knighten says. “It’s such a unique matchup to have Ohio State and Arkansas with two great band traditions. To see both of those in the same game is exciting from the band perspective.”

Orange Bowl With a new sponsor this year and a unique match-up, the Discover Orange Bowl, held in Miami on Jan. 3, 2011, seemed destined for extra press coverage. However, news reports from mainstream media across the country incorrectly reported that Stanford had been banned from performing halftime. To the contrary, both schools performed for pregame and neither for halftime. Instead, the Orange Bowl traditionally invites a big-name rock group—this year, the Goo Goo Dolls. Stanford won the game, 40 to 12.

The Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band

nown for its vast high-energy repertoire, uniforms of blazers and decorated bucket hats, and non-traditional instrumentation, the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band from Palo Alto, Calif., has a notorious reputation. “Most people would characterize the tradition of the Stanford Band as irreverence,” says Ben Lasley, manager of

the Stanford Band. “Wherever we go we’re all about rocking out and having a lot of energy.” But perhaps the band’s most famous characteristic is the on-field antics and halftime shows consisting of sharp social commentary, jabs at its rivals or just plain silliness—ranging anywhere from allegories about immigration policy to haikus about velociraptors. “Although trying to stay within the boundaries of good taste, we’re happy to take on any topic with our field shows,” Lasley says. “We try not to offend; it’s more social commentary than trying to insult anyone. We enjoy doing silly things—we’re out there to entertain.” Orange Bowl bands only perform before the game due to an annual halftime production number—this year featuring the Goo Goo Dolls. Many news publications incorrectly assumed

that Stanford had been banned from the show. For pregame, Stanford lampooned sports news from the city of Miami during the past year. Prior to 2009, Stanford football had not experienced a winning season or a bowl game since 2001. “The turnaround of the Stanford football program has been huge for that longer-term band identity,” Lasley says. “It means a lot to our older members for them to participate in this experience. Our freshmen and sophomores are probably a little spoiled, but it’s alright because they’ll stick around and contribute.” According to Lasley, the band coped through the tougher years by coining the phrase, “The band always wins.” “Even if we lose, we make sure we are rocking out and having as much fun as possible and bringing that joy to everyone and anyone that we can,” he says.

The Virginia Tech Marching Virginians

he Latin “Ut Prosim,” “That I May Serve,” is Virginia Tech’s official motto—embodied especially by The Marching Virginians, “The Spirit of Tech,” from Blacksburg, Va. “It’s something that you hear a lot at Virginia Tech, but this group takes it to heart,” says Tony Marinello, assistant director. “The word, ‘Service,’ is very special to these students.” That commitment extends beyond its service to the Hokies football team and fan base. The band participates in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, and this year it raised more than $32,500 for Marching for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Each year the band also puts on its “Hokies for the Hungry” program to collect canned goods for the needy. After a rocky start to the season with two losses, the Hokies went undefeated on the way to the Orange Bowl. “This

year started off pretty low; obviously motivation in general was tough,” says Katie Sonntag, band public relations officer. “It was a surprise to be able to make it to where we are today.” At the Orange Bowl, The Marching Virginians performed its traditional pregame show, including the “VPI Victory March” and the school’s fight song, “Tech Triumph.” Neither Virginia Tech nor Stanford took part at halftime due to the Orange Bowl’s tradition of inviting a bigname production. For the seniors, a final bowl game will always be bittersweet. “As a senior this final bowl trip really means a lot,” Sonntag says. “I know it’s my last time marching my pregame show; it’s the last time rooting for the Hokies as an undergrad. I know that we’ve put forth a lot of effort this season, and it’s a bittersweet thing, but I’m really enjoying it.”

January/February 2011 25

Fiesta BOWL The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, held on Jan. 1., 2011, in Glendale, Ariz., proved to be an interesting match-up between first-timer University of Connecticut and BCS bowl veteran The University of Oklahoma. While Oklahoma won 48 to 20, both bands were proud to support their teams.

University of Connecticut Marching Band Photo courtesy of the University of Connecticut Marching Band.

he University of Connecticut Marching Band from Storrs, Conn., finally got its turn in the spotlight on New Year’s Day at the Fiesta Bowl, its first BCS appearance. Known more for its basketball programs, UConn entered football’s top division just 10 years ago. “We’ve been kind of under the surface or a well-kept secret,” says band director Dr. David Mills. “Now with football taking a center stage and getting some national exposure, our band is being seen by more people outside of the Northeastern area.” For the Fiesta Bowl halftime show, the band performed “Celtic Beats,” featuring the music of the Dropkick Murphys. The show is a portion of

its longer field show, “Feel the Beat.” Each year the band learns a long show for exhibitions and post-game performances and adapts excerpts of it with additional tunes for each halftime. “We like having something where we can build the level of our activity up to the level of competitive high school bands and drum and bugle corps,” Mills says. The recent success of the Huskies football program has made it much easier for “The Pride of Connecticut” to pump up the crowds. “Although the band is still doing the same things, the energy in the stadium is now flowing through the band rather than just coming out of the band,” Mills says.

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The students also have an even more positive outlook on their marching band experiences. “We had a good band that we were always proud of,” Mills says. “But it’s amazing what all this energy

has done to add to the students’ positive feelings toward the band and toward football and what they’re trying to do—work toward excellence and conveying that all the time.”

Band historian and senior Andrea Berberick agrees. “We’ve been fortunate to go to bowl games but never one of this standard,” she says. “This will be leaving the band on a high note.”

The Pride of Oklahoma

n the flip side of the Fiesta Bowl is the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band—an old-fashioned, traditional Big 12 band and bowl game veteran—from Norman, Okla.. “We’re most known for our rich tradition since 1904 and pretty much based on the same values that were set way back then: human nature, polite kindness, respect, sportsmanship— things that are unfortunately kind of rare today,” says Dr. Debra Traficante, assistant director of bands. “We’ve been to almost every major bowl except for the Rose Bowl.” The Pride enjoys a historically strong relationship with the fans and the football team. “We have a thing here where we hold up one finger and everyone thinks we’re saying, ‘We’re number

one,’ but we’re saying, ‘There’s only one Oklahoma,’” Traficante says. “No matter what activity you’re in, we’re all one big group of people, and we’re all in it together.” Drum major Matt Sumner agrees. “The team plays the game, and the band has halftime, and if we win or lose, we know we’re all still Sooner born, Sooner bred. We go hand in hand.” At the Fiesta Bowl, the band performed a shortened version of its traditional pregame show and a movie-themed halftime show featuring selections from “King Kong, “The Incredibles” and “The Mummy Returns.” “The best part of performing is seeing people smile, seeing them enjoy themselves and having an enjoyable experience,” Sumner says.

A portion of the Pride travels to every game. For the bowl trip, the band offered a side trip to the Sedona mountains. Sumner encourages everyone to make the most of their college band experience. “It’s a very incredible experience that you won’t be able to get at any other point in your life, and you only have a short window to do it,” he says. “Keep with it and never give up.”

ArkANSAS

ohio StAte

tcU

AUBUrN

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on Raising Money

he marching bands of Oswego (N.Y.) High School, Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., and Mayfair High School in Lakewood, Calif., are separated by thousands of miles. However, these three bands share a common denominator not only among themselves but also with hundreds of bands around the country: Fundraising has become a lifeline in this ailing economy.

Brainstorming Events Each of the bands admitted that the hardest part about fundraising is getting the ball rolling. Rick Brown, fundraising co-chair at Timber Creek, is open to any opportunity. “I have looked on other band websites for ideas, but I mainly ask the parents what they would want to get behind and be willing to sell,” he says. “It’s the parents that really drive our fundraisers, and without their interest, we won’t have much success with any fundraiser out there. We are always open to new ideas, and as long as it has a nice profit share, it will always be considered.” Sometimes finding the best fundraisers also takes trial and error. “It is true that some fundraisers work better than others,” says Julie Frye, the president of Timber Creek’s Band Parent Organization. “If it’s not a big seller, move on. Don’t let it get you down.” Mayfair High School has created an entire subcommittee of booster parents to raise money and to manage it. Due to the recent strain in the economy, Mayfair’s marching band no longer receives the majority of its funding from the school; the band is now at least 95% autonomous. “The Ways and Means Committee has really been an essential addition to our 28

In a difficult economy, nearly everyone has been forced to make cuts or find ways to bring in more income. With the end of marching season, high school bands still have an off-season filled with fundraising to help prepare for next year’s parades and field shows. Booster Club and band as a whole,” says Jeff deSeriere, current assistant director of Mayfair’s marching band. “We have found it extremely helpful to have a committee in place that’s constantly coming up with new ways for us to raise the money we need to operate.” As for the Oswego marching band, it follows a specific mantra when deciding on its fundraisers. “Instead of doing a ton of events, do a few small, successful fundraisers,” says Bill Palange, the previous director. “As much as people may want to help, they will grow tired of constantly being asked for money.”

Spring Flings All of the bands have their own major fundraising events they host during the off-season: for Mayfair it’s a Hotcakes and Jazz event; for Timber Creek it’s the annual golf tournament; and Oswego cooks a BBQ Chicken Dinner. Held every spring, Hotcakes and Jazz is a pancake breakfast that features multiple performances by the Mayfair Jazz Band throughout the morning. The band also runs a fireworks booth the week before the 4th of July. In addition to these off-season fundraisers, Mayfair holds car washes, sells items from the Cherrydale Farms catalogue

and hosts three field show tournaments during the marching season. Because the Oswego High School marching band is inactive from November until July, it tries to limit the amount of fundraising it does in its small 15,000-person community. “The majority of the fundraising we do actually happens during the season,” explains Palange. “Also, we venture outside of Oswego as often as possible to fundraise; this is a small town, and as much as people would like to help, they may become a bit annoyed if they are constantly being asked for money.” However, the program does hold a BBQ Chicken Dinner. “We reach out to the community as well as our band families,” says Debbie Bartholomew, the president of Oswego’s Band Parents Association. “We pre-sell tickets for dinners, then we cook the chicken on school premises— after marinating in a secret recipe for a couple of days! Buyers pick their dinners up there, or we deliver larger orders. Our dinners include half a chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, a roll and a cookie, which our band parents donate.” The members of Oswego marching band also sell candy, Avon products, Longaberger baskets and Sara Lee pies throughout the year to raise money.

By Kellie Graham

Raising the Bar

Like Oswego and Mayfair, Timber Creek hosts a menagerie of events including a golf tournament in April and a spring community concert; however, the band also sells products like Sally Foster wrapping paper, Yankee Candles and World’s Finest Chocolate to supplement this income throughout the year.

Big Moneymakers Despite all of the fundraisers these schools do, particular events bring in the majority of their money. For Timber Creek, the sale of Entertainment Books has raised a total of $17,000, and no one sells more of them within the Central Florida market! Its fall field competition typically brings in about $11,000 from ticket sales, concessions, vendor booths and entrance fees. And the golf tournament brings in about $10,000. Field tournaments are also a boon for Mayfair. “Field show tournaments bring in a lot of money because of the vendors who rent spots, the admission fee, the cost of the programs, concessions, etc.,” explains deSeriere. “Doing three of them really helps out.” This past fall, the band also entered and won a contest sponsored by radio station Power 106 to host the station’s All-Star basketball team in a game against the high school team. All of the ticket proceeds went to the band, which also sold concessions at the event. Celebrity guests rap/hip-hop duo The New Boyz and rapper Lloyd Banks made appearances. Mayfair was also given a total of $5,500 by the radio station and TMobile as part of its prize. Oswego’s band typically engages in fundraisers that offer at least 35% to 40% of the profit. Its most successful fundraiser involves volunteering at concession stands for a portion of the revenues at the Carrier Dome and Alliance Bank Stadium. (Timber Creek has a similar relationship at Amway Stadium.) “This method of fundraising is extremely successful, and it’s nice that we’re not confronting the same people in our community for donations,” Palange says. While fundraising can be challenging, time consuming and emotionally draining, knowing that it all goes to a good cause makes it worthwhile, Palange says. “Have fun with it!” he says. “And stay upbeat about it. The money and time and effort you’re putting into it will ultimately benefit the kids, and that’s what’s important.”

Fundraising while Spreading Music Tired of selling pizza or candy bars? Now you can raise funds for your music group by spreading the joy of music with the sale of music-themed products. Art Strings Publishing, featuring Music Art of Karen Cannon, has partnered with Hal Leonard Corporation—which had already been distributing its products—to create one of the only music fundraising programs designed by the music industry. The idea for this program began four years ago but only recently came to fruition in September 2010. “Four years ago, we were at the Texas Bandmasters show and saw the whole industry of fundraising,” says Brent Hawley, president and program manager of Art Strings Publishing. “None of the companies had anything to do with music, and it bothered me. I wanted to try and develop a fundraising program that sent a positive message of music.” Cannon’s musical artwork adorns posters, greeting cards and mugs, just to name a few of the popular gift items. Both Cannon and Hawley are active musicians, playing guitar and mandolin respectively. The fundraising program also includes musically themed products from the Hal Leonard Corporation Gift Line—including personal music instruction books and track packs loops for Apple GarageBand software—as well as national magazine publications from American Publishers Hearst. Sales can be made door-to-door or online. Groups receive 40% proceeds on all sales (excluding applicable tax) with no minimum sales or upfront costs. Music dealers can also make 6% of the proceeds by signing up schools into the program. “This program is designed by the music industry for the music community with products that send a positive message of music,” Hawley says. “What profits there are stay in the music industry.” For more information, visit www.artstringsfundraising.org.

About the Author Kellie Graham is a sophomore majoring in public relations at the University of Southern California. She has been playing the trumpet since the fifth grade and is a member of the USC Trojan Marching Band. After graduation, Kellie plans on joining a major public relations firm in Los Angeles or New York. January/February 2011 29

By Lydia Ness

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps C

elebrating its 50 th anniversary in 2010, the 69-member U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps has played at every presidential inauguration since John F. Kennedy in 1961. Sergeant Major Gregory J. Rock has participated in six out of 10 of them. With an average of 500 shows annually from educational performances to arrival ceremonies of dignitaries, it is common for the members to play in an elementary school in the morning and on the White House lawn in the afternoon. Halftime Magazine spoke to Rock about the corps’ mission, history and future.

As the only remaining military fife and drum corps, the Old Guard—recently celebrating its 50th anniversary—has a storied and honored past. Halftime: How did the Fife and Drum Corps celebrate its 50th anniversary? Rock: We decided to do a yearlong celebration. It started in February [2010] with a kickoff event. We [also] decided to do a muster tour, where all the fife and drum corps got together and performed as a parade and did individual performances. We wrote a special show just for the 50th anniversary. In June, we had a large tattoo (military pageant), and in October, we had an event called the Junior’s Fife and Drum Workshop. We’ve done that the last six years, but we made it more 50th anniversary focused. [We capped] off with a corps recital in December. 30

Halftime: When did you join the corps, and what are your responsibilities? Rock: I came in December of 1988. I came from the First U.S. Army Band, and I was a trombone player there. I came here and played bugle for 17 years, and then they decided to promote me. I’m the corps’ Sergeant Major. My responsibilities entail resource, training, quality control, and verifying all the performances. I’m also in charge of the welfare of the soldiers, making sure that everyone is taken care of, and they are able to perform their duties in the army. My role is to create an environment where soldiers can succeed and perform at their best.

Halftime: How was the Old Guard formed? Rock: The 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, is the oldest active infantry regiment with direct lineage to George Washington’s original Continental Army during [the] Revolutionary War. The Old Guard wear uniforms patterned after the soldiers of 1784. They [resemble] the continental musicians’ uniforms, and they are different than the continental soldiers’ uniforms. The musician uniforms are opposite of the organization they belong to … [This is because] the military musician of that time was the signal on the battlefield. When the commander wanted to com-

municate and give an order to part of his command that was all the way across the field, he grabbed one of the musicians to give the signal to do whatever he wanted. Because there’s a lot of confusion on the battlefield, in order to grab the musician quickly, they identified him with a different colored coat. Halftime: How is the Old Guard unique from other military bands? Rock: We are the only [fife and drum corps] in the armed services. All the other bands are traditional bands. All of the service bands march in the inaugural parades. We, however, are the army guard for the President. Our position in the parade is right in front of the President himself. Halftime: Describe the performances. Rock: All the music has historical roots, and the shows are pretty typical as that of a marching band performance at halftime. In all our shows, we include a troop step, which is our signature maneuver. It’s the slow kick, toes pointed, drop the heal kind of thing, and the troop step is always followed by “Yankee Doodle.”

Halftime: How have things changed in the corps since you’ve been there? Rock: Well, our mission has changed a little bit. Prior to 9-11 we did less armytype jobs than we do now. For example, we now have an additional mission of acting as Liaison Officer (LNO) to our higher headquarters. However, our musical missions have not changed, and in fact, have increased in volume. We’re [also] doing a lot more national and international events because of the Internet and streaming. In that respect, we’re a little more visible than we were in the past. Halftime: How does someone audition? Rock: Auditioning is extremely competitive. For any given instrument, we receive over 50 applications. [These applicants] range from the conservatory-trained to the lifelong fifer. These musicians send

us a resume as well as an audition tape that help us whittle down to only a handful of candidates. From here, they’re invited to come to Fort Myer for an onsite two-day audition. This incorporates the applicants playing in front of a panel of our senior leaders as well as an extensive interview process. The average age group is usually between 27 and 32. We are a little bit older than soldiers that come into the army because of the advanced degrees we have. Halftime: What is your vision for the corps over the next 50 years? Rock: [First], my job is to prepare the next person to take my position and … to develop the future leaders of the organization. [I would also like the corps] to get into the international tattoo circuit and travel more extensively.

About the Author Lydia Ness is a visual journalism student at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif. She has performed in the Glassmen, the Bluecoats, and the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps as well as the Riverside Community College indoor percussion ensemble. She teaches the front ensemble at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, Calif. Lydia plans to go to law school and focus on international and global justice.

January/February 2011 31

Behind the Baton By Jessica McKinney

Shaping a Drum Major Photos by Fred Boyd

Head drum major of the Avon Marching Black & Gold—Bands of America’s three-peat Grand National Champion—looks back on three “humbling” years on the podium. 32

he summer of my freshman year of high school, I hesitantly stepped into a program that demanded an excellence and a self-discipline that I had never experienced before. I was intimidated by the rigor of the performances expected by the Avon Marching Black & Gold. As seven-time defenders of the Indiana state championships, the intensity clung to the air of the band room, where students loyally practiced day in and day out. Though I was among 50 other overwhelmed freshmen, I felt comforted by the warm greetings I received by the “veterans” of the program. Upperclassmen assured me that these next four years would be a blast. And, boy, were they right. I grew a lot my first year, physically and emotionally. I learned what it meant to truly strive for something that I wanted and something that no one thought was possible. That year, I cried when I won my first state championship and danced when the band received second in the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championships. I grew close to the trumpet players that year and enjoyed the time I spent in that section, but I most recall longing to be a drum major. Little did I know, drum majors are not the shy type. They do not get nervous in front of large groups of people, and taking criticism was done with grace. I had a long way to go.

Learning the Ropes The next season (my sophomore year), I joined the team of five drum majors. Since I was the youngest, I was put in charge of tasks like running the metronome and making sure cones were set up for practice. Though these jobs weren’t the most flattering or spotlight worthy, I knew my day would come. As the rookie drum major, I felt as though I was one of the freshmen once again. This time, though, I had to learn the ropes by watching instead of being taught. I was surprised to discover that drum majors don’t get sectionals time to learn the show; it is expected that we learn the show on our own. This newfound responsibility made me realize the position I had gotten myself into. On top of the conducting aspect of the position, the daily behind-the-scenes duties kept all five of us busy. Contrary to what many band members believe, being a drum major isn’t a walk in the park. Directors trusted us to make copies by

the hundreds for drill and music, set up and tear down any and all fields, set metronomes, organize files, and make sure practice is running as smoothly as possible. Though the band depends on these things to be done, these characteristics of the job are sometimes overlooked.

This season, my fellow band members and I were able to make history. We accomplished the highest music score in BOA history and are the second band to ever win Grand Nationals three years in a row. Aside from that, we made our own history back home on the parking lot

On the other hand, one of my favorite perks of being a drum major is being able to represent my band. It is very humbling to wear the uniform as a drum major because I know I am symbolizing my band’s hard work throughout the season.

field where memories and lifelong friendships were made. These are the things I cherish above all trophies or titles.

On the Head Podium So here I am, my senior year. This past June, I took the head podium for the first time, and I got goose bumps when the band played the first chord at the fall of my hands. I’ll never forget our first run-through or the butterflies in my stomach as I saluted at the first invitational of the year. Conducting for the Avon Marching Black & Gold has the tendency to take the breath away from you, and it never gets old.

Looking Back and Ahead Looking back on the experience as a whole, I realize the impact the Avon Marching Band has had on shaping who I am. These past four years have taken me through a rollercoaster of ups and downs. I’ve learned to receive praise as well as criticism. And now I know that the exhilaration of success comes with hard work. I can proudly say I have led some of the nation’s best. Leadership isn’t being the boss; it’s setting an example and positively influencing others by your actions. I am fortunate enough to have had this experience and will carry these qualities with me for the rest of my life.

About the Author Jessica McKinney is a senior at Avon (Ind.) High School where she has been a drum major for the Marching Black & Gold for three years. She plays the French horn in the wind ensemble. Jessica also plays the cymbals in the world drumline at Avon. She plans to attend Taylor University in the fall and study biology. January/February 2011 33

Fitness to the MAx

By Haley Greenwald-Gonella

Building Arm Strength There are a lot of ways to develop the muscles in your arms. Here are some tips to give you real upper body strength, not just nice-looking muscles.

H After dancing since the age of 3, Haley Greenwald-Gonella thought it was time to try a new art. In elementary school, she began playing the flute and was in the marching band in middle school and for the first two years of high school. She also played the bassoon during concert season. Dance drew Haley back while in high school. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with degrees in dance and English. She recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in Specialized Journalism (The Arts). Haley is also a certified registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She draws upon her dance and yoga training when it comes to all things fitness and the arts.

aving even a little bit of arm strength is important for making it through several hours of marching band rehearsal. Try these exercises to strengthen all the muscles in your arms without adding a lot of bulk.

Dip and Bridge Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet out in front of you. Place your hands on the floor behind your back with your fingertips pointed toward your toes. Lift your hips up into a flat bridge formation. Dip down a few inches, bending through your elbows and then straighten; that is one repetition. Repeat 20 times. You should feel the muscles work at the front of the upper arms. Then turn your hands, so that your fingertips point behind you to work the backs of your upper arms.

Shoulder Fly Use a 3- to 5-pound weight in each hand. Lift your arms up from your sides to create an airplane formation. Hold for one to two breaths. Slowly bring your arms back down. Make sure to keep your shoulders away from your ears. Repeat 10 times.

Bicep Curl With a Twist Using the same small weights—one in each hand—start with your arms down by your sides. Curl one arm up into a bicep curl. As you release your 34

arm, twist it to its original position down by your side. Do two reps of 10 on each side.

Push-Up Variation Try push-ups that utilize the backs of the arms. Instead of allowing your elbows to move out to the sides as you move toward the ground, consciously squeeze your elbows in toward the sides of your body. Repeat 10 to 25 times.

Power Downward Facing Dog To get into position, start on your hands and knees, then straighten your legs to point your tailbone toward the ceiling. Press your palms down strongly into the floor and anchor as much of your feet as possible down into the ground. Gaze at your navel or your knees. Unless you have extremely tight hamstrings, your knees should be straight but not locked. After you have spent two breaths in the posture, bend your elbows back to move from traditional downward facing dog into power downward dog. Try to maintain the pose for five breaths. Make sure that your shoulders are not crunching around your ears. Lift through your upper back and slightly squeeze your shoulder blades together. As always, make sure to check with your doctor before starting any new kind of exercise.

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By Matt Jones

Marching Into the Bowl 1

30 36

45 48

50 53

Across 1. Sax-playing former president Clinton 5. “Just put ___ my bill” (2 words) 9. “Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the ___” 13. Friend, in France 14. Yoga posture 15. Brickell who married Paul Simon 16. Two football quarters 17. Pico de ___ (sauce type) 18. Tenth-grader (abbrev.) 19. They’ll crash in Orlando on Dec. 30, 2010 22. “Futurama” main character 23. will.___ (member of the Black Eyed Peas) 24. Like a C scale 27. Horn player’s necessity 36

31 37

22 24

30. Breakfast, lunch and dinner 34. Butter alternative 35. Soak up 37. Small stream (or 27 Across backwards) 38. They’ll play in Dallas on Jan. 7, 2011 41. Garden tilling tool 42. Venomous snakes 43. Change for a five 44. ___-ski (ski lodge activities) 46. Suffix after count or priest 47. Atlanta university 48. Started a candle 50. Chemistry or physics (abbrev.) 51. They’ll blow in El Paso on Dec. 31, 2010

57 61

58. “Big Yellow Taxi” singer Mitchell 59. “When I See You ___” (song from Bad English) 60. Deck of cards quartet 62. Tiger Woods’ ex-wife Nordegren 63. Underwear brand 64. Cuisine that uses peanut sauce 65. “The Wizard of Oz” dog 66. “___ silly question ...” (2 words) 67. Long times to wait

Down 1. “___, humbug!” (line from Ebenezer Scrooge) 2. Colorful computer introduced in 1998 3. “Mystic Pizza” actress Taylor 4. Half a marching component? (2 words) 5. “A miss ___ good as a mile” (2 words) 6. Soft, soapy mineral 7. Nothing but 8. “The International” actress Watts 9. Grover’s street 10. Seacrest’s show, for short 11. Jar contents at a coffeehouse 12. “Yeah, I bet” laugh sound 14. “___ walks into a bar ...” (2 words) 20. Watchdog’s warning 21. Disney deer 24. Coffeehouse order 25. Thrown for ___ (caught off guard) (2 words) 26. Yankees shortstop Derek 27. Letter options in Scantron bubbles, sometimes 28. Spots of land in the sea 29. Makes lion noises 31. “There ___ wrong answers” (2 words) 32. About nine-tenths of a quart 33. Smart-mouthed

35. Word that separates the lead singer from the band? 36. Some Monopoly spaces (abbrev.) 39. Desert refuge 40. Put up for an award 45. Cause of some weather conditions (2 words) 47. Green prefix popular with conservationists 49. Yellow character on “The Backyardigans” 50. “___ a Lady” (Tom Jones song) 51. Play on your own 52. Military marching band group 53. “Do not open ‘til ___” 54. “Old MacDonald” noise 55. “Not guilty,” for example 56. Empty gymnasium sound 57. Diddy’s real first name 58. “The Expendables” actor ___ Li 61. Bro’s relative

Solution For the solution go to Halftime Magazine’s website at www.halftimemag.com. Click on “Current Issue,” then “For Fun.”

About the Author Matt Jones is a 1998 graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Ore., where he majored in music education. Since 1994, he has also written crosswords for venues such as The New York Times, Games Magazine and Stagebill. He currently writes a syndicated weekly puzzle for more than 50 alternative newspapers across the country.

1. Saginaw, TX • 6/18 2. Round Rock, TX • 6/19 3. Rio Rancho, NM • 6/21 4. Indianapolis, IN • 6/21 5. Martin, TN • 6/21 6. Mesa, AZ • 6/22 7. Fairfield, OH • 6/22 8. Pittsburgh, PA • 6/23 9. Clovis, CA • 6/24 10. Muncie, IN • 6/24 11. Grand Rapids, MI • 6/25 12. Stanford, CA • 6/25 13. Arlington, VA • 6/25 14. Stockton, CA • 6/26 15. Clifton, NJ • 6/26 16. Naperville, IL • 6/26 17. Bridgeport, CT • 6/27 18. Minneapolis, MN • 6/28 19. Atascadero, CA • 6/28 20. Mankato, MN • 6/29 21. Ft. Edward/ Glens Falls, NY • 6/29 22. Medford, OR • 6/29 23. Whitewater, WI • 6/30 24. San Diego, CA • 7/1 25. Hillsboro, OR • 7/1 26. Oswego, IL • 7/1 27. TBA, NH • 7/1 28. Seattle, WA • 7/2 29. Walnut, CA • 7/2 30. Michigan City, IN • 7/2 31. Lynn, MA • 7/2 32. Spokane, WA • 7/3 33. Bristol, RI • 7/3

C O R P S

34. Riverside, CA • 7/3 35. Cedarburg, WI • 7/3 36. Dublin, OH • 7/5 37. Nampa, ID • 7/5 38. Centerville, OH • 7/6 39. Ogden, UT • 7/6 40. Ewing, NJ • 7/6 41. Akron, OH • 7/7 42. Bowling Green, OH • 7/8 43. Loveland, CO • 7/8 44. Madison, WI • 7/9 45. Denver, CO • 7/9 46. Dubuque, IA • 7/10 47. Omaha, NE • 7/10 48. Davenport, IA • 7/11 49. West Des Moines, IA • 7/12 50. Metamora, IL • 7/12 51. Sioux Falls, SD • 7/13 52. Paddock Lake, WI • 7/13 53. Bridgewater, MA • 7/15 54. La Crosse, WI • 7/15 55. Groton, CT • 7/16 56. Southern, CA • 7/16 57. Minneapolis, MN • 7/16 58. Rockford, IL • 7/17 59. Southern, CA • 7/17 60. Manchester, NH • 7/17 61. Kansas City, MO • 7/18 62. St. Louis, MO • 7/18 63. Wichita, KS • 7/19

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

64. Van Buren, AR • 7/19 65. Broken Arrow, OK • 7/20 66. Denton, TX • 7/21 67. Houston, TX • 7/22 68. Odessa, TX • 7/22 69. San Antonio, TX • 7/23 70. Northern, CA • 7/23 71. Northern, CA • 7/24 72. Dallas, TX • 7/25 73. Lafayette, LA • 7/25 74. Edmond, OK • 7/26 75. Ocean Springs, MS • 7/26 76. Hattiesburg, MS • 7/27 77. Little Rock, AR • 7/27 78. Milton, FL • 7/28 79. Madison, IN • 7/28 80. Gadsden, AL • 7/29 81. Murfreesboro, TN • 7/29 82. Atlanta, GA • 7/30 83. Paw Paw, MI • 7/30 84. DeKalb, IL • 7/30

85. Southwestern, MI • 7/31 86. Charlotte, NC • 7/31 87. Orlando, FL • 7/31 88. TBA, SC • 8/1 89. Sevierville, TN • 8/1 90. Rice Lake, WI • 8/1 91. Charleston, WV • 8/2 92. Salem, VA • 8/2 93. Dayton, OH • 8/2 94. Chesapeake, VA • 8/3 95. Eau Claire, WI • 8/3 96. West Chester, PA • 8/3 97. Lawrence, MA • 8/4 98. Johnsonburg, PA • 8/4 99. Rome, NY • 8/4 100. Warrenton, VA • 8/4 101. Allentown, PA • 8/5 102. Greendale, WI • 8/5 103. Dubuque, IA • 8/6 104. Allentown, PA • 8/6 105. Erie, PA • 8/6 106. Piscataway, NJ • 8/7 107. Erie, PA • 8/7 108. Buffalo, NY • 8/8 109. Massillon, OH • 8/9

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