March Rehearsal Keeps The Momentum Building
March 11, 2007
We traveled to St. Andrew on Sunday morning under a crisp, blue sky that promised moderate temperatures coming soon when we'll move our program outdoors. But today, we had a lot of work to do in locking down our music and routines.
Our drill program in the first hour built on past rehearsals and made progress in how we moved. And danced. We could see how far we've come and now feel confident that the Bridgemen shuffle will make it into this year's show.
Soon 1:00 rolled around and we were standing with our sections, ready to learn under the guidance of our drum, horn, and guard instructors.
With upcoming performances fast approaching, we were determined to cover a lot of ground and lock down our arsenal. Next week we'll march in Bayonne's St. Patrick's day parade. Then in a few weeks: the Emanon winter guard show. Then a few weeks later, we'll take the stage in the Harrisburg indoor show.
Our warm-ups were brief as we jumped right into reviewing familiar territory and covering new territory.
Our dedicated staff saw to it that we would be prepared for our performances and confident in projecting the Bridgemen attitude to the audiences that will thrill to this year's show.
Every so often, some members would peel away to be fitted for the yellow or black coats they'll wear this season. They returned to rehearsal, grinning from ear to ear, knowing they'll finally get a chance to get in on some Bridgemen magic. Many of them remember our junior corps days and are thrilled to finally get in on the kind of fun only WE can deliver!
We kidded with each other, enjoying the fraternity of friends and drum corps devotees. Until we were reminded of Bob Dubinski's Rule #1: Shut up and pay attention! We didn't get any breaks to make the most of the six hours we had together.
Dennis Delucia (drum arranger/instructor, program coordinator, and DCI telecast host) joined the brass sectional to maximize our productivity. He introduced the concept of centers. Our most-skilled members (one 1st soprano, one 2nd soprano, etc.) would play their individual section's part when our Staff or Drum Major would ask for Centers only. They became their section's focal point, so others can get a better lock on their parts and tempos, then the rest of the line would join in.
We wrapped up sectionals and headed to the gym where Executive Director George Lavelle taught us how to set up for our upcoming indoor performance. When it came time to play, many horn players wondered how our fatigued chops would hold up. Then someone exclaimed Centers only, which cracked up Dennis Delucia and the rest of us!
Around 4:30 we ensembled together in the gym to show off how far we've come. Under the tutelage of staff and Drum Major Jim Jordan, music parts and guard choreography came together as we ironed out tempos and rough spots. The drums and horns stepped up our level of musicality, while the color guard stepped up their self-assurance.
We walked away from the day's rehearsal, confident that we've made progress in our goal of putting on the best performances we can pull off this year. We have the horses to run this race and we know we'll make the most of our talent & numbers.
Day soon melted into night as many of us socialized in the VFW Post, treated to Post Commander Glenn Flora's hospitality. The partying continued there, in concert with a reunion of alumni of the St. Andrew's Bridgemen. The Alumni Association organized the Through the Years... The First Ten Years gala which featured memorabilia from St. Andrew's glory days, good food & drink, and good company. Veterans of different eras mingled and recounted their experiences with Bridgemen past and present.
Mary Cerreta, who decorated the Post with St. Andrew's memorabilia, reported, The highlight of the night was Carol and Bob Holton (original Bridgemen and parents of Sean Holton). It was so great to see them again! We sat and talked for about an hour. Carol filled us in on some more back in the day stuff.
All in all, it was a GREAT opportunity for members and alumni to connect with each other and bask in the fun of this unique experience.
March 11, 2007
We traveled to St. Andrew on Sunday morning under a crisp, blue sky that promised moderate temperatures coming soon when we'll move our program outdoors. But today, we had a lot of work to do in locking down our music and routines.
Our drill program in the first hour built on past rehearsals and made progress in how we moved. And danced. We could see how far we've come and now feel confident that the Bridgemen shuffle will make it into this year's show.
Soon 1:00 rolled around and we were standing with our sections, ready to learn under the guidance of our drum, horn, and guard instructors.
With upcoming performances fast approaching, we were determined to cover a lot of ground and lock down our arsenal. Next week we'll march in Bayonne's St. Patrick's day parade. Then in a few weeks: the Emanon winter guard show. Then a few weeks later, we'll take the stage in the Harrisburg indoor show.
Our warm-ups were brief as we jumped right into reviewing familiar territory and covering new territory.
Our dedicated staff saw to it that we would be prepared for our performances and confident in projecting the Bridgemen attitude to the audiences that will thrill to this year's show.
Every so often, some members would peel away to be fitted for the yellow or black coats they'll wear this season. They returned to rehearsal, grinning from ear to ear, knowing they'll finally get a chance to get in on some Bridgemen magic. Many of them remember our junior corps days and are thrilled to finally get in on the kind of fun only WE can deliver!
We kidded with each other, enjoying the fraternity of friends and drum corps devotees. Until we were reminded of Bob Dubinski's Rule #1: Shut up and pay attention! We didn't get any breaks to make the most of the six hours we had together.
Dennis Delucia (drum arranger/instructor, program coordinator, and DCI telecast host) joined the brass sectional to maximize our productivity. He introduced the concept of centers. Our most-skilled members (one 1st soprano, one 2nd soprano, etc.) would play their individual section's part when our Staff or Drum Major would ask for Centers only. They became their section's focal point, so others can get a better lock on their parts and tempos, then the rest of the line would join in.
We wrapped up sectionals and headed to the gym where Executive Director George Lavelle taught us how to set up for our upcoming indoor performance. When it came time to play, many horn players wondered how our fatigued chops would hold up. Then someone exclaimed Centers only, which cracked up Dennis Delucia and the rest of us!
Around 4:30 we ensembled together in the gym to show off how far we've come. Under the tutelage of staff and Drum Major Jim Jordan, music parts and guard choreography came together as we ironed out tempos and rough spots. The drums and horns stepped up our level of musicality, while the color guard stepped up their self-assurance.
We walked away from the day's rehearsal, confident that we've made progress in our goal of putting on the best performances we can pull off this year. We have the horses to run this race and we know we'll make the most of our talent & numbers.
Day soon melted into night as many of us socialized in the VFW Post, treated to Post Commander Glenn Flora's hospitality. The partying continued there, in concert with a reunion of alumni of the St. Andrew's Bridgemen. The Alumni Association organized the Through the Years... The First Ten Years gala which featured memorabilia from St. Andrew's glory days, good food & drink, and good company. Veterans of different eras mingled and recounted their experiences with Bridgemen past and present.
Mary Cerreta, who decorated the Post with St. Andrew's memorabilia, reported, The highlight of the night was Carol and Bob Holton (original Bridgemen and parents of Sean Holton). It was so great to see them again! We sat and talked for about an hour. Carol filled us in on some more back in the day stuff.
All in all, it was a GREAT opportunity for members and alumni to connect with each other and bask in the fun of this unique experience.
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