Now that many of you are at least ankle deep in marching band, here are a few tips that will help get you to the next level. The tips are adapted from "50 Steps to a Better Marching Band," an article by Don Green that appeared in SBO magazine many years ago. I'll include more in the next couple of newsletters.

2. Students should take all the counts to get to their drill set. They should not get there early or get there late.

3. Use subsets to clean drill. If it's a 32-count move, stop at 16, check the form, then go. If it's a 16-count move, check the form after eight counts.

13. Fix one mistake. For example, tell a 25-member band that if they all fix one thing in the next run-through, there are 25 things that are better.

16. Budget time for marching basics in every rehearsal. Even when it doesn't seem like there is time, make time, even if it is for only five minutes.

19. Get a sound system. Not only does this save your voice, it doesn't sound like you are shouting at them all the time. Also, there is a certain power rush and star quality you can get from wearing a head-set. (At least that is what I'm told.)

30. The drill is the movement, not the pictures. Hitting the drill set is important, but how it looks in between is often over-looked.

As past members know, we have commissioned a band piece for the second year in a row. Last year it was Sultana by Randall Standridge. This year All-Star honor Band members will have a chance to premiere a work by Don Colquitt, composer and band director at Paulette Middle School in Fouke, Arkansas. More information on Don in a future newsletter.

These are the bands who have some or all of registration completed. You deserve a standing ovation!

Alpena

Blytheville--form only
Central Arkansas Christian

Concord
Cotter

Fountain Lake
Horatio

Lamar
Manila
Mineral Springs

Mountain View
Nashville

Riverview
Rose Bud

South Pike County
Two Rivers

Warren

Western Yell
West Side (Greers Ferry)

White County Central

I will not re-publish all of the dates here. Please check the ASBA Website or past newsletters. Make sure everything is sent to the new address (Trey Reely, 2 Cathy Drive, Searcy, AR 72143).

Here are some practice concepts to pass on to your kids. If you want more, check out the book.

1. "Time with your instrument is not an accurate assessment of practicing. It is better to measure your practice by the amount of progress toward a goal made each session."

2. Learning music slowly actually saves practice time and delivers superior results. "Precision especially matters early on, because the first repetitions establish the pathways for the future. Neurologists call this the 'sled on a snowy hill' phenomenon. The first repetitions are like the first sled tracks on the fresh snow. On subsequent tries, your sled will tend to follow those grooves." (Daniel Coyle, The Little Book of Talent)

From No Limits:

"Everything worthwhile is uphill. Many have uphill dreams, but downhill habits."

"I'd rather live in a way that I create a list of hundreds of failed attempts rather than a list of regrets for things I'd failed to attempt."

How do you know when a viola section is at your door?

None of them know when to come in.

(For rehearsal humor, you can change this to any section you want.)