Thanks to @Emmett Smith for the assist!! : )

General Effect – Music/65 Overall/63 = 128 —— 6^th place out of 8

Performance Analysis – Composition/65 Quality/66 —— 5^th place out of 8

Visual – Composition/69 Quality/67 —— 5^th place out of 8

Overall Score 65.48 —— 6^th place

What do these numbers mean? General effect is basically asking the question, “How well does our show communicate the theme to the audience?” Obviously, this score would have been significantly increased if we would have had the sound samples to help narrate the story through. Not having a backup plan was completely my fault, and there’s no excuse for not having an emergency plan implemented. Rest assured that there is a plan in place now, and it will never happen again! Next, Performance Analysis is basically the separation of just playing the notes on the page and performing. This is over half of the combined score, and we definitely have a lot of work to do in the area. Things such as eye contact, body carriage and movement in combination of playing the book with good musicality are paramount! So, during Tuesday rehearsals, we are going to be focusing on doing all of these little things to improve our score. Lastly, the visual category is how the drill matches our show. We received more compliments than detractors in the area, and a lot of neat things were mentioned. Here are some of the big comments.

• The only person who the judges felt they connected with was Whitney, due to her making eye contact with the audience.
• Bass drum feet were rarely on the beat.
• The music had one volume, medium soft.
• Snare hand technique is not the same, especially when it comes to flam accents.
• There’s only one section of body movement, and it looked lazy. : (
• The uniforms looked great, and turning around when not playing got us major points.
• Body carriage was pitiful for just about everyone!
• Moving out of forms and into forms too early, such as the box, straight line for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and moving to different circles.
• Cymbals have a distinct lack of visuals after the first tune.

Those are just a few of the big hits, but it gives you all an idea of where we’re heading.

So, let’s get ready for an awesome dinner and performance for parents and friends and get ready to DO WORK!!

At the beginning of the season, there were 32 students that were in the indoor ensemble. That number has dwindled down to almost half, for one reason or another. For some people, it’s the financial commitment. For others, the work ethic that an extracurricular ensemble requires was just too much. However, there is no reason for those of us that remain to get down on ourselves. I will be honest, and say that I’m not very good at motivational speeches. I’m much better at comedy, but I feel like the performance at Gibbs might make us doubt our place in the indoor percussion activity. In the indoor percussion activity, scores are comprised of a 20% visual score and an 80% musical score. I am going to be completely honest with you all, and treat you like adults.

The first major concern we have is instrumentation. Ideally, there should be an exact match between the members of the battery and the front ensemble. However, with only 4 bodies in our front ensemble, they are out numbered 3 to 1! This is a major concern as without pitches, we’re basically just playing cadences in a gym. The original book that I composed was for 8 different instruments in the front ensemble, and would accompany up to 12 people with parts being doubled. After the second interest meeting, Mr. Slaughter and I discussed hurrying existing plans to buy a new 4.3 octave marimba to cover all the performers. It is crucial that we either find some new people to play keyed instruments, or else we might have to adjust our battery numbers in order to cover these parts. The show is designed for aggression, and to be played off of each other. However, it is almost impossible to hear the front ensemble. We, as an ensemble, need to recruit people from inside the band or other musicians in the school in order to be as successful as we all want to be. Pulling people off of their drum is the absolute last thing that I want to do, believe me. If you know anyone that can read sheet music or that plays piano, please ask them to e-mail me (wbpercussion@gmail.com) or talk to Mr. Slaughter at school. The only requirement is that they either go to William Blount, Carpenter’s or Union Grove middle.

The second major concern is dedication. While we did spend a lot of time off of school, it became painfully obvious who has practiced their music and who has not. This is especially true in the bass line, where the parts are the most intricate. I feel there is no excuse for not having the first two movements completely memorized, as you have had the music for over a month. I have done everything I can to make the music as accessible to you all as possible. The copies on this site, combined with the audio examples for you to practice at home, are more than enough for you to practice at home. You have to understand, this ensemble does not meet during school and you are not getting daily rehearsals. Rather, we are trying to cram everything into 2 ½ hour rehearsals, twice a week. It is up to you to be prepared! We, as an ensemble, decided to be in a competitive sport. While the experience is the most important part of the season, I want it to be a positive one rather than a negative. I will do a better job of letting you all know exactly what you need to have prepared for each rehearsal. We are the only school in the area, other than Seymour, that has 1 percussion guy for the whole ensemble. I need you all to help me out by having your stuff all together.

The visual score we received was about in the middle of the 13. That will only improve as we add scenes with the progression of the season. However, we need more instruments and for us to be better at the ones we play.

If you haven’t started taking this ensemble seriously, now is the time.

I do want to thank everyone that has stuck with us through this whole process. Undoubtedly, I no one is comfortable with the program as it stands right now. I know you all want to be part of something successful, but success is earned and not just given away. You all have to put in the work in order to reap the benefits.

We will be spending the rehearsals of next week talking solely about technique for your instrument, and exercises to work on them. It is important for everyone to use the same technique, not only for the ease of performance, but so that we can show that we understand our instrument. One of the people I went to college with had a great quote on Saturday that I want to share with you all. When I came out of critique, he said, “You know Steve, all this smiling and keeping your head position up will only get them so far in life. Knowing how to play an instrument is something that they can rely on forever”.

I hope that you all realize that I’m not upset with you at all. I’m upset at the chain of events that have led us to the point where we’re at right now. Like I said earlier, we’re at a cross roads. On the left, the easy way out in which we just have a good time and wish for summer to hurry up. On the right is a bumpy road with a 40% incline that leads to a golden Taco Bell.

Which way do we want to turn? You decide.

-Mr. Wolfe

Go Govs!!

Its not my hope that you all come out of this indoor experience as amazing musicians, but rather that you see what music can do in your life. When you look back in 10 years, you won’t remember a single section of this music you’re playing. But, you will remember your friendships and the experiences we’re all going to have. Hopefully, you’ll work hard on everything so we can do some creative things that have never been done at William Blount before! I hope that you will have a library of songs, like I do, and can pick a specific one to help you with any mood or situation.

Let’s do work, son!

Hey all!

First of all, I just want to say that it was so much fun getting to physically interact with the people who make me laugh everyday! It was so much fun, and I can’t wait to see what all comes in the box from them. Rest assured, some items will end up in the office!

So Urlbots, this WordPress is really just an experiment. There’s nothing like it in our area, and we’re hoping that it can lead to some wonderful things between a music program and potential listeners. We’re at the very start of our indoor percussion season, and more things will be updated as we go. Feel free to check out the “About” section for even more information.

Also, add us on Facebook for even more interaction with the students!

• http://www.facebook.com/wbpercussion

Thanks again for stopping by, and keep reading Urlesque!!

-Mr. Wolfe

After you print it, write your name on the line provided and slide in the front of your folder!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Also, remember that you’re going to be asked to move your body carriage in a way that you’ve probably never done before. Be open to the ideas that we have, and never opt out. This is a performance group, and as such we will be trying as hard as possible to get the highest G.E. (general effect) score possible. I’ve posted a couple of videos on Facebook, and will continue to do so. Watch them in their entirety and feel free to come to us with ideas! While its true we’ve done this before, we want it to be unlike anything else. Anything that stands out is going to be memorable!

Do work, son!

-Mr. Wolfe

These pit members are also alternates, just in case someone in the battery cannot participate.

These results do not have the other people in the front ensemble listed, as there was no audition.

Should you not make the cut, don’t give up! There are tons of needs In the front ensemble, and it will be just as cool! You will still get exposed to an entire season of percussion technique, and you will become a better musician! Regardless of your placement, it will be an amazing experience and you definitely don’t want to miss out!

Be ready to play 8 on a hand, paradiddles, chicken in a bowl, and stick control! Don’t worry if you don’t have music, they’re easy sticking patterns and they will be written on the whiteboard.

Do work, son!!!