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Published:
Thursday,
May
27,
2010
The
Record
TROY — There’s lots of excitement building around the Flag Day Parade on June 13.
The Flag Day Parade Committee has announced that The Marksmen Drum and Bugle Corps will be participating in this year’s parade, and contributions continue to come in to The Record’s Flag Day Fund Drive.
The Marksmen, a parade and concert performance organization from western Massachusetts, dress in green, black and silver uniforms and are led by an honor guard of rifle bearers and 10 flags.
Following their lead is a battery of snare drums and bass drums and the musical sound of the brass section.
This year, the corps is celebrating its 21st consecutive years of operation and performance. Each season, the Marksmen perform throughout New England to a collective audience of 750,000. Throughout the years, the group has won many local, regional and national awards and recognition.
The corps has also performed at Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium.
The Marksmen Drum and Bugle Corps is comprised of 45 adult members from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. The group’s repertoire consists of all the Armed Forces songs and various patriotic tunes, Broadway show tunes, some popular arrangements, a bit of jazz, and a unique arrangement of their signature song, “I Believe.”
Last week, the parade committee announced Strange News From Another Planet! and Capital Brass will take part in the parade.
Troy’s Flag Day Parade will step off at 1 p.m., rain or shine, on June 13, starting in South Troy and proceeding north along Fourth Street into downtown.
CB!'s own Mike Blair
earns Fellowship
4/3/2010
CB's own Mike Blair
(Tuba major, Eastman
School) is the recipient
of a great opportunity
for this summer. His
chamber group, Oracle
Brass, received the
quintet fellowship and
full-ride scholarships
for the summer to live
together and play
concerts with American
Brass Quintet, beginning
with the Aspen Music
Festival.
But until he leaves, he
will perform with
Capital Brass! on
baritone and tuba, for
May and most of June!
Glad to have him back
for a short time. And,
we're all very happy
he's getting this great
opportunity! Congrats,
Mike!
CB! to perform Recital
at College of St. Rose
4/1/2010
Capital Brass! will
perform at the Senior
Recital for our Tubist,
Bryan Bee, at The
College of St. Rose in
Albany... Friday April
16, at 4:00pm.
Our corps will perform 3
pieces, comprising about
a third of Bryan's
recital. Two additional
St. Rose music students
will sit in with us for
the performance.
We'll be performing:
"That's a Plenty" -
Luther
Henderson/Canadian Brass
arrangement
"A Nightingale Sang in
Barkley Square" - ala
Manhatten Transfer...
originally arranged for
our BOM! Saxaphone
quintet, by Kevin Foster
"Sing, Sang, Sung" - our
own arrangement,
licensed by Gordon
Goodwin
The recital is open to
the public.
We're very proud and
excited about this
opportunity to perform
at this Music School in
our own home town.
SNAP! earns Best Band
Award in Kingston!
3/16/2010
The opening weekend of
parade season saw
Capital Brass! return to
the street with a Parade
unit in Hoosick Falls,
and SNAP! earning "Best
Band" over a large field
of Pipe Bands, High
School Bands and Drum
Corps' in the Kingston
St. Patrick's Day
parade. Nice Start!
Drum Corps Planet - show
review
Joe Gagliardi
3/9/2010
Our show yesterday March
7th was a GREAT success.
This was contributed to
2 Great Organizations;
Capital Brass and Prime
Time Brass who wowed the
receptive audience. Drum
Corps is back in Auburn,
NY
The program started at
about 2:14pm with
Capital Brass taking
center stage. These
Pro’s put on one heck of
a show and had the crowd
dancing in their seats.
You could see that the
audience liked the music
as they recognized the
songs and liked what
they heard. They gave CB
a standing ovation, in
appreciation, for their
performance. Great job
guys and thanks for
coming in all the way
from Albany.
About 2:50pm, 10 minutes
before they were
scheduled to go on Prime
Time Brass was called on
to take the stage. Just
like Pro’s that they
are, in the spirit of
Drum Corps, they were
flexible and did it with
grace and efficiency.
After marching in 6
parades in New Orleans
which were like 6 miles
long these guys played
their hearts out. The
audience was overwhelmed
by the great sound and
with the music they (the
crowd) knew,“"Sweet
Caroline"” had them
rocking in their seats.
Again, after their show
the audience responded
by giving PTB a standing
ovation. Great job also
PTB for coming to Auburn
and helping us out.
Then it was our turn to
perform. What an act to
follow, these 2 great
organizations. We went
out and gave it our best
effort. We sounded, in
my opinion; great
considering this is only
our second year out. We
were well received by
our home town crowd.
Our gratitude goes out
of course to: Cayuga
County Community College
and its staff for the
use of the facility,
Capital Brass, Prime
Time Brass, Our own
Purple Lancers and their
Families, our Staff, and
the Italian Kitchen Crew
who served the meal to
the participants after
the show. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR MAKING OUR SHOW
THE GREAT SUCCESS IT
WAS!
Now our biggest thanks
go out to our
President/Corps Director
- Richard (Dick)
Gagliardi for all his
hard work and dedication
24/7 in making this Show
a Great success that it
was.
Look Out For Next Year
Return of the Capital
Brass! Parade Corps!
2/12/10 (updated
2/20/10)
The new Capital Brass Parade Corps
DEBUTS March 13th: in Hoosick Falls,
NY St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The new CB! Parade Corps will be
sized to meet the budget of each
Parade sponsor; performing with
15-20 players.... a small,
corps-style unit to compliment our
SNAP! Jazz Ensemble, which has been
performing in parades since 2008.
Hoosick Falls has hired our
minimum-sized group. But the
entertainment level will be far from
small, as we will present a hot
little ensemble filled with seasoned
players. Most of the same players
will perform the next day, in the
Kingston St. Pat's parade, with an
all-brass version of SNAP!.
The line-up for the corps is nearly
complete; including some
heavy-weight players...., with
enough performers to fill out the
corps in venues both large and
small; and to allow for subs as
needed. Send an e-mail, asap, if you
have interest in one of our few open
roster spots.
Welcome! ..to the trumpet line: Tony
Gambaro (Avant Garde Alumnus; Out of
Control R&B Band, TOP, UK Burners,
Blues Other Brothers, Alex Torres)
Current line-up:
Trumpets:
Andrew Bisnett
Tony Gambaro
Terry Gordon
Kevin Hendrick
Terry Stoliker
Scott Thompson
Jeff Young
Mellophone/Horn:
Bill Davis
Paul MacDonald
Tom MacDonald
Baritone:
Shaun Bazylewicz
Mike Blair
Bryan Brundige
Amy Giamettai
Bill Hoeprich
Arron Koffman
Tuba:
Bryan Bee
Drums:
Steve Candlin
Rob Cenci
Gene Garone
Chris Rowlands
2010 “A Capital
Brass! Christmas” Benefit Concert
2/10/2010
click here for link to DCP article
CB! is happy to announce that the
2010 “A Capital Brass! Christmas” will be presented as a Benefit Concert for St.
Catherine’s Center for Children, of Albany, NY.
The Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services
designed to offer hope, foster growth and improve the lives of children and
families.
The one-hour concert will be held on Saturday, December 4th, at 4pm, with a
reception at 3pm; at the Carondolet Music Center, of St. Joseph’s Provincial
House, in Latham. A wonderful venue for a great cause.
This concert represents the culmination of 3 years of development for CB!.
Beginning in 2006, with a collection of jingles, augmented by a few custom
arrangements, the CB! Christmas book has grown into a full collection of
treasured Christmas and Hanukah favorites.
The 2010 concert will include an eclectic mix of holiday selections to celebrate
the season, including: Choral Works, Gospel songs, Hymns, Carols, Folk and Pop
tunes. Also, plenty of fun and a few surprises!
Proceeds from the concert with benefit St. Catherine’s Center for Children, in
Memory of former staff member Bonnie Stoliker, who passed away last November.
Bonnie is the late wife of Terry Stoliker; an Alumni of the Green Sabers and
Interstatesmen, and a current member of the Skyliners Alumni and Capital Brass!.
A Capital Brass!
Christmas
11/27/09
This December, Capital
Brass! will perform
their fourth annual
Christmas Concert; with
an expanded play list
and their finest venue
to date.
First, on Sunday,
December 6th,
members of CB! will
participate in the
Albany, NY edition of
Tuba Christmas, at the
Empire State Plaza;
conducted by David
Wampler, Instructor of
low brass, College of
St. Rose.
On Saturday, December 12th,
the group will perform a
warm-up concert at
Baptist Health Center,
in Scotia. Nursing Home
and Veteran’s Hospital
performances have become
a yearly tradition for
CB!, and Baptist Health
is a new venue for 2009.
Finally, CB! is honored
to be invited to perform
their full Christmas
Concert on Sunday,
December 20th,
at St. George’s Church
in Clifton Park. The
concert is open to the
general public.
This year’s Christmas
playlist features over
one-third new music, and
selections from many
fine arrangers,
including:
“Do You Hear What I
Hear?” – arranged by Jay
Lichtmann
“Little Drummer
Boy/Pat-a-Pan” –
arranged by Bud Udell
Mel Torme’s “The
Christmas Song” –
arranged by Kevin Foster
2 arrangements by CB!’s
own Andrew Bisnett:
“Silent Night” and “Away
in The Manger”
3 by John Arietano:
“Westminster Carol”,
Grandma Got Run Over by
a Reindeer” and “God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Several from the
Canadian Brass
collection: “What Child
is This?”, “O Little
Town of Bethlehem”, “Joy
to the World”,
“Hallelujah Chorus”
(from Handel’s Messiah),
“Carol of the Bells” and
“Hava Nagila”.
And a couple more for
fun: “You’re a Mean One,
Mr. Grinch” and “The
Chipmunk Song”.
CB!
Parade Corps Returns in
2010
10/12/09
After a great season for the Brass
Ensemble... plus the wild success of
SNAP!, in parades across the
region.....
.... it's time to reintroduce the
Capital Brass! Parade Corps.
The parade unit was a part-time
project ,over the last couple of
years, with basically once-a-year
appearances; including one
performance which earned the 2008 NY
State American Legion State Drum
Corps Title.
In 2009 our SNAP! jazz band became
our parade representative; as
organizers all over the region
enthusiastically welcomed the
Capital Brass! organization back to
the parade arena.... where they once
were perennial favorites.
For 2010, we have some exciting
plans and some unique opportunities
for the right players..., who are
interested in performing with a
progressive, dynamic, EXCELLENT
drum corps.
We will build on the high quality
and huge success of SNAP! to produce
a companion group to fill the void
for a good, local drum corps unit to
march in local parades. A very high
degree of excellence is expected;
and we will accept no less than
producing the PREMIER musical parade
unit in the region.
A limited number of brass,
percussion and guard members will we
be accepted. Details are still being
developed but, some tentative
details are available:
- Members will provide their
own instruments and uniforms,
and will share in parade
revenue. (some loaner
instruments may be available)
- A small, fun & impactful
repertoire will be used.
- A limited rehearsal schedule
in the late Winter/early Spring.
- The parade unit will be a
produced and operated by
Brass-O-Mania!
The goal is to start
rehearsals in early 2010, to
prepare for a St. Patrick's Day
premier. But, at the outside,
Memorial Day will be the latest
target.
Spots will be very limited.
So contact us to indicate your
interest, asap. Once rehearsals
are scheduled, they'll be posted
on our website; along with
current openings.
Interested performers and
support personnel should contact
us at:
tommacd@nycap.rr.com .
2008 NY State American Legion
Champions!
CB! Contributes to Blues
Evolution Recording
10/10/09
Capital Brass! has
recently completed its
portion of the latest
Blues Evolution
recording project.
The project fulfills a
goal made in the early
days of the new CB!, and
is just the first of the
group's recording plans.
Blues Evolution is an
American music group
with a unique approach
to modern blues, soul,
gospel and jazz-based
music, as imagined by
Elexus Quinn and Ziggy
True. Quinn and True
compose, perform, and
produce the music of
Blues Evolution.
Capital Brass! will be
included on a track on
the group's new CD
release; a Blues tune,
with some sweet
horn-band background
licks, orchestrated by
CB!'s own Kevin
Hendrick. Capital Brass!
will also be prominently
featured in the tune's
classic
New Orleans-style Dirge
intro
and Dixieland outro.
The new recording will
soon be available. Blues
Evolution's current CD
can be sampled and
downloaded at:
www.bluesevolution.com
.
more pics:
HERE
2009 Pittsfield Reunion
Posted on
September 13th, 2009
Pittsfield Cavaliers
Website
Well we did it! The rain
held off and when all was
said and done, about 150
Drum Corps alumni gathered
at Camp Russell for an
afternoon of reliving old
times and meeting old
friends.
The Capital Brass played for
over an hour and they were
awesome! Rich Powell
showed his slide show/powerpoint
and it was fun to watch and
produced great memories.
There were 10 notebooks full
of pictures and clippings
and many people brought some
of their treasures to share
with the group. Rachel
Gilbert Shepler brought a
quilt she made with all the
Pittsfield Drum Corps on it
and all the alumni present
signed the back of the quilt
with their name and corps
and years. Bob McCaffery
came in from Nevada, Marty
Hopper from Arizona, Mike
Petel from Texas, Jack
Noonan from Chicago, and
Brian Chisholm from Florida
just to name a few. Many
more traveled in from all
over the east coast. Not
only were all 7 Pittsfield
corps represented, but the
Spiegalaires from Troy as
well. The Marksmen also sent
a large contingent and it
was good to meet those folks
as well.
Some people told us that
they met friends they hadn’t
seen in over 40 years. There
certainly was a lot of
hugging going on! It’s just
what the reunion committee
envisioned - good friends,
good food, good venue, good
times! E’Sprit d’ Corps!
Capital Brass Earns 91.0 in DCA Brass Ensemble
competition
Earning their highest score to date, in DCA I&E
competition, CB! finished ahead of ensembles from
Top DCA corps' San Francisco Renegades and Minnesota
Brass; earning a 91.0 for their presentation of
"Cartoon Capers". The competition was highly
contested, with arguably the best line-up of brass
ensembles in DCA history. Entries included groups
from Racine, St. Paul, San Francisco, Sacramento,
Pittsburgh, Virginia, Louisville, Rochester and
Bridgeport. A second CB! ensemble earned an 85.0,
for "Bohemian Rhapsody". The two entries were the
most complex pieces the corps has entered in
competition so far. And the CB! crew was very
pleased with the reaction from the audience and
judges to both pieces.
In Mini-corps competition, CB! eaned 10th, with a
score of 77.0.
CB! soloists also fared well with 2 of the top 5
Mid-range performers, and top 5 Baritone and Tuba.
E nsemb
1 Kilties Baritones 96
Ensemb 2 Power Zone 95
Ensemb 3 Derby City Knights 94
Ensemb 4 Prime Time Brass 93
Ensemb 5 AL Post 391
Freelancers 92
Ensemb
6 Capital
Brass #1 91
Ensemb 7 Renegades 89
Ensemb 8 Micro Brass 87
Ensemb
9 Capital
Brass #2 85
Ensemb 10 Park City Pride 82
Ensemb 11 Steel City
Ambassadors 80
Ensemb 12 Shen Sound 79
Mini-corps:
1. 97.83 - Star United
2. 93.50 - Mass Brass / Music City Legend (TIE)
4. 93.17 - Ghost Riders
5. 92.17 - Golden Eagles
6. 92.00 - Minne Brass
7. 85.67 - Skyliners Alumni
8. 83.00 - Vigilantes
9. 82.00 - Sacramento Freelancers
10. 77.00 - Capital Brass
11. 75.33 - Gulf Coast Sound
12. 73.67 - Generations
13. 68.83 - Cincinnati Trasition
Mid 1 Jimmy Steele Statesmen 93
Mid 2 Scooter Pirtle Star United 91
Mid
3 Paul
MacDonald Capital Brass 90
Mid 4 Dennis Tischhauser Mn Brass 87
Mid
5 Andrew
Bissnett Capital Brass 86
Mid 6 Brad Flint Vigilantes 85
Mid 7 Rick Simard Jr Mass Brass 84
Mid 8 Anthony Fiumara Shen Sound 81
Mid 9 Buzzy Bergdoll Malden 80
Mid 10 Glenn Kubacki Cabs Alumni 79
Mid 11 Anthony Fiumara Shen Sound 78
Mid 12 Tony D'Andrea Cabs Alumn 76
Bari 1 Pat Buzzard Kilties 99
Bari 2 Jerome Kimbrough Bush 97
Bari 3 Eric Shaw Vigilantes 96
Bari 4 Ruben Ariola/Sky Brassmen 92
Bari
5 Michael
Blair Capital Brass 91
Bari 6 Justin Clintsnan Kilties 90
Bari 7 Dennis Tischhauser Mn Brass 88
Bari 8 Dick Pomerleau Shen Sound 83
Bari
9 Bryan Bee
Capital Brass 82
Bari 10 Theresa Lacroix Crusaders 81
Bari
11 Andrew
Bissnett Capital Brass 80
Contra 1 Randall Bennett Brigs 96
Contra 2 Jim Wise Statesmen 94
Contra 4 Dennis Tischhauser MN Brass 91
Contra 3 Eric Shaw Vigilantes 90
Contra 5
Bryan Bee
Capital Brass 89
Contra 6 Cody Lund Vigilantes 88
Contra 7 John Philbrook Mass Brass 83
Full I&E Results here
The Capital Brass will be performing. They are a group
of professional brass players from the Albany, NY area,
some of whom have Drum Corps resumes - Interstatesmen,
Speigelaires, Avant Guard, etc. They play every year at
the Drum Corps show in Glens Falls, NY and at the
Saratoga Race Track each season. They also compete in
the mini-corps, and individual competitions at the DCA
championships.
We’ve heard them play many times, and these guys can
really rip it up!
While on vacation at Lake George this summer, former
Pittsfield Cavaliers snare drummer, Dave Fields, saw
Capital Brass perform and was very impressed, not only
with the quality of their playing but also with the
complexities of their charts. Dave is still a
professional musician, so his positive comments mean
more than most.
We are honored that the Capital Brass has agreed to
perform at the Pittsfield Drum Corps reunion. You don’t
want to miss them!
Capital Brass! Parade
Corps to return in 2010
Corps-style drummers sought for parade unit
7/17/2009
The CB! guys have had such a great time, performing with "Strange News from
Another Planet!", in parades this year!!! AND, the group has been a HUGE hit! We
also have a long list of additional players who'd like to perform with "Strange
News"... which just begs for the creation of another parade unit.
That considered, and with mulitple invitations for 2010, already; we have
decided to once again offer Capital Brass! for parades next year.
In 2008, our Parade Corps earned the NY State American Legion Title, in the Drum
Corps Division, at the State Convention, in Albany.
For 2010, CB! will march a small drum corps, of 15-20 pieces. We will, of
course, draw from our Brass Ensemble, for brass players, and accept additional
performers, as needed.
For a percussion section, we will use a small corps-style line of 3 to 4
players. I would like to get 6 drummers on board, to allow for schedule
conflicts. We have 2 corps drummers on board for the project now , and are
looking for 4 more. Rehearsals (likely only a few) will be held in February or
March of 2010.
By putting Capital Brass! back on the street, we will be able to offer two
distinct parade units. And I believe that, with the addition of a few more
corps-style drummers, we'll have enough musicians where we'll be able to double
up, using both groups on the same parade dates.
Published: Sunday, May 31, 2009
TROY — Plans are moving ahead for the
annual Troy Flag Day Parade on June 14.
Parade organizers have announced that “Strange News From Another Planet! (SNAP)
will be appearing in the parade, which steps off at 1 p.m., rain or shine, on
Flag Day. The parade, which is being held this year in honor of the late Ed
Verrillo, the longtime parade committee member, starts in South Troy and goes up
Fourth Street into downtown Troy.
SNAP, a strolling jazz/improvizational ensemble, is a high-octane group that
performs a combination of jazz and pop tunes in parades and parks throughout the
region, according to parade organizers.
Among the selections performed by the group of musicians that number nine to 18,
depending on the occasion, are “Happy Feet Blues,” “Everybody’s Everything” and
“Late in the Evening.”
Bugler's Hall of Fame Championship
Bridgeport, CT, March 28, 2009
With only 12 members making the trip, CB! made quite a mark, with 9 Medals,
including our 3rd consecutive Brass Ensemble title.
The Mini-corps performed "Concerto De Aranjuez", "Sway", "Bohemian Rhapsody"
and a new arrangement of "America".
Mixed Ensemble performed a re-worked "The Brass-O-Maniacs - a Cartoon
Symphony".
And for Brass Ensemble, CB! presented a sextet, which won with a new 4-minute
piece, learned just 10 days prior: "Cartoon Capers".
Paul MacDonald and Kevin Hendrick took the Brass Duet title in their first
performance together.
Paul MacDonald took Silver in Mid-range and Bronze in Trumpet/Soprano,
against a large and talented group of entries.
Bryan Bee took the Gold in Tuba/Contra in his first try at individuals.
And Andrew Bisnett, of the CB! trumpet section, competed in 3 categories;
scoring high in Trumpet and Mid-range, but taking the Gold on Baritone!
Championship Results:
|
Name |
Affiliation |
Entry
|
Score |
|
Diana Dugan Stack
|
Park City Pride |
Snare Individual |
80 |
|
Jack McGuiness |
Sky Alumni
|
Vibes Individual |
92 |
|
Carl Ferrigno |
Park City Pride |
Keyboard Individual |
95 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Bryan Bee |
Capital Brass! |
Contra Individual |
86 |
|
Tom Michalski |
St Kevin’s |
Contra Individual
|
80 |
|
Carl Ferrigno |
Park City Pride |
Contra Individual |
79 |
|
Rob Sylvia |
St Kevin’s |
Contra Individual |
78 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Andrew Bisnett |
Capital Brass! |
Baritone Individual |
86 |
|
Mike Wargo |
Brooklyn United |
Baritone Individual |
82 |
|
Carl Ferrigno |
Park City Pride |
Trombone Individual |
76 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Frank Buzzy Bergdoll |
St Kevin’s |
Mid Range Individual |
96 |
|
Paul MacDonald |
Capital Brass! |
Mid Range Individual
|
94 |
|
Andrew Bisnett |
Capital Brass! |
Mid Range Individual |
89 |
|
Meiko Hedling |
Selden |
Mid Range Individual |
85 |
|
Jason Chin |
Skyliners (Sunrisers?) |
Mid Range Individual
|
84 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Rich Wardlow
|
Brooklyn United |
Soprano Individual |
99 |
|
Tony Martin
|
Ct Alumni |
Soprano Individual |
98 |
|
Paul MacDonald
|
Capital Brass! |
Soprano Individual |
97 |
|
Kenton Clarke
|
Skyliners |
Soprano Individual |
96 |
|
Andrew Bisnett
|
Capital Brass! |
Soprano Individual |
95 |
|
John Kamerdin
|
Sunrisers |
Soprano Individual |
92 |
|
Carl Ferrigno
|
Park City Pride
|
Soprano Individual |
88 |
|
Glen Kubacki
|
Selden
|
Soprano Individual |
86 |
|
Anthony Speedy West
|
Skyliners
|
Soprano Individual |
86 |
|
Claudia Furman
|
Ct Alumni
|
Soprano Individual |
86 |
|
Rich Fuzzy Vorel
|
Ct Alumni |
Soprano Individual |
77 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Capital Brass! |
Capital Brass! |
MIXED ENSEMBLE |
90 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Capital Brass! |
Capital Brass! |
BRASS ENSEMBLE |
95 |
|
Park City Pride |
Park City Pride |
BRASS ENSEMBLE |
89 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Paul MacDonald & Kevin Hendrick |
Capital Brass! |
BRASS DUET |
90 |
|
John Grass & Rich Wardlow |
Skyliners & Brooklyn United |
BRASS DUET |
87 |
|
2 Soprano’s |
Skyliners & Amboy Dukes |
BRASS DUET |
86 |
|
Paul & Meiko Hedling |
Selden |
BRASS DUET |
81 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Park City Baritones |
Park City Pride
|
BRASS QUARTET |
95 |
|
The Romeo’s
|
|
BRASS QUARTET |
87 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Frank Dorritie, John Urspruch & Jack McGuiness |
|
MIXED TRIO |
96 |
| |
|
|
|
|
West Sayville Golden Eagles |
West Sayville Golden Eagles |
MINI CORPS |
88.6 |
|
Capital Brass! |
Capital Brass! |
MINI CORPS |
84.1 |
| |
|
|
|
Inaugural MCA Championship
Produces High Entertainment!
9/28/08
Congratulations Mass Brass, and All of the Corps' on a successful first
Championship!
Capital Brass earned their highest score to date,
in placing 4th at the MCA Championships. The Corps also earned the MCA Brass
Ensemble Title, taking the Gold with "A Nightingale Sang on Barkley Square" and
also Second Place with "The Brass-O-Maniacs - A Cartoon Symphony".
One judge had CB! in 2nd place, in Performance,
and just .5 out of 2nd overall! (recaps below)
CB!'s Paul MacDonald took the award for Best
Soloist in the Mini-Corps Championship contest. He also took the Gold Medal in
BOTH the Trumpet/Soprano and Mid-Range Categories, in the afternoon I&E contest.
Photos:
HERE
Videos:
HERE
1- Mass Brass
97.67
2- Golden Eagles
95.17
Best Soloist: Paul MacDonald,
Capital Brass!
3- Ghost Riders
92.50
4-
Capital Brass!
91.33
Best Showmanship: Mass Brass Soprano Line
5- Amoskeag Sound 89.30
6- Defenders
85.17
7- Windsor Regiment 83.33
recaps:
|
|
SCORES for Mini Corps - 9/26/08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judge: |
#1 Argul |
#2 Cardeneo |
#3 Longdo |
|
Total |
|
PLACE |
Unit Name |
Repertoire |
Performance |
Total |
Music |
Performance |
Total |
Music |
Performance |
Total |
Penalty |
Score |
|
|
|
1 |
Mass Brass |
98 |
98 |
196 |
95 |
97 |
192 |
99 |
99 |
198 |
|
97.67 |
|
2 |
Golden Eagles |
97 |
94 |
191 |
93 |
91 |
184 |
98 |
98 |
196 |
|
95.17 |
|
3 |
Ghost Rider |
88 |
90 |
178 |
92 |
93 |
185 |
96 |
96 |
192 |
|
92.50 |
|
4 |
Capital Brass |
95 |
95 |
190 |
90 |
90 |
180 |
90 |
88 |
178 |
|
91.33 |
|
5 |
Amoskeag Sound |
91 |
92 |
183 |
89 |
92 |
181 |
87 |
86 |
173 |
0.2 |
89.30 |
|
6 |
Defenders |
87 |
90 |
177 |
85 |
82 |
167 |
84 |
83 |
167 |
|
85.17 |
|
6 |
Windsor Regiment |
89 |
83 |
172 |
81 |
78 |
159 |
85 |
84 |
169 |
|
83.33 |
MCA
Individual & Ensemble Championship results:
flugel/soprano/trumpet:
Paul
MacDonald, Capital Brass!..............95
Nelson Lesmeuies, Amoskeag Sound....92
Dan Hines, NY
Skyliners..............................87
Andrew
Bisnett, Capital Brass!..................85
mid-range:
Paul
MacDonald, Capital Brass!.............98
Buzzy Bergdoll, Mass Brass........................95
Rick Simard, Mass
Brass.............................94
Nelson Lesmeuies, Amoskeag Sound...86
baritone/euphonium
Stacey Ryan, Amoskeag Sound.........94
Theresa Lecroix, Ghost Riders...............92 |
snare
Justin Miller, Ghost Riders..................84
brass duet/trio
Theresa Lecroix & Bob LaDuca...........97
Ryan, Larry & Cassandra Stacey........90
brass ensemble
Capital
Brass Quintet..........................93
Capital Brass Ensemble.....................92
Ghost of Cru (Ghost Riders)...............91
Basement Brass (Defenders).............88
|
CB! Brass Quintet:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
CB! Brass Ensemble:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Terry Gordon - trumpet
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Tom MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Bill Hoeprich - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
CB! Mini-Corps:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Cliff Brant, Sr - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Terry Gordon - trumpet
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Tom MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Cliff Brant, Jr. - baritone
- Hank Mikolajeski - baritone
- Bill Hoeprich - baritone
- Russ Kagan - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
- Chris Rowlands - percussion
- Amedeo Bruni - percussion
Interstatesmen Reunion a Success!
9/28/08
Photos
HERE
Video
HERE
Dozens of I-Men Alumni, Family and Friends joined
for a 50th Anniversary Tribute at the Albany MCA Championships, hosted by
Capital Brass!
Alumni gathered for an anniversary luncheon at
the Best Western Sovereign, then made their way to The SUNY Performing Arts
Center to enjoy the MCA I&E Competition. The night was capped off with
attendance at the MCA Championship competition which featured some of the Alumni
performing with the Interstatesmen Tribute Ensemble. Renditions of "Softy as I
Leave You" and "Who's Sorry Now" brought tears to many and functioned as a
fitting end to a great day.
I-Men participants in the Tribute Ensemble (both
Original and 70's I-Men):
Jeff Perkins
Don Gardner
Charlene Gardner
Staff Evans
Tim Boardman
Al Richards
Terry Stoliker
Tom MacDonald
Frank DelRa
Bill Siddon
Bill Hoyt
Photos HERE.
Capital
Brass! Ensemble takes 5th at DCA World Championship
9/1/08
Photos
HERE
Videos HERE
Performing "The Brass-O-Manics - A Cartoon Symphony",
Capital Brass! clearly won over the audience and also impressed the judging
panel in Brass Ensemble competition, at the DCA World Championships. Held at the
Rochester Clarion Hotel, the venue was standing room only for 16 ensembles from
across the country, including entries from: Rochester; South Boston; St.Paul;
Racine, Wisconsin; Troy, Michigan; Philidelphia; St. Peter, Minnesota,
Bridgeport; Ontario, Canada, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Quebec.
"The Brass-O-Manics" featured themes from
classic cartoons: "This is It" (Bugs Bunny opening theme), "The Flintstones",
"The Jetsons", "The Simpsons" "The Pink Panther"; "The Animaniacs" and "Merrily
We Roll Along" (Looney Tunes Theme).
CB!'s Mini-Corps entry also scored well, with their
presentation of "CB's BIG PHAT Mini-Corps Show"; while Paul MacDonald
earned 2nd Place in the Mid-Range category with his interpretation of
"Moanin". CB! also entered a Quartet in competition, performing "My
Funny Valentine". And Andrew Bisnett represented the group, in the
Soprano/Trumpet category.
Capital Brass! was honored to have Drum Corps
Hall-of-Famer Ken Norman, of Racine Kilties fame, on board, playing
Baritone for the Mini-Corps performance. Thanks Ken!!!!
Brass Ensemble:
1 The Ghost of Power Zone
Empire Statesmen
96.00
2 Prime Time Brass
Various Corps
95.00
3 Half Mass Brass
Mass Brass
93.00
4 Minnesota Brass
Minnesota
Brass
90.00
5
Capital Brass!
Capital Brass!
88.00
6 Mello Mud
Minnesota Brass
88.00
7 Kilites Baritones
Kilties
86.00
8 Kilties Mellphone Choir
Kilties
85.00
9 Valves of Flury
Lakeshoremen
83.00
10 Reilly Raiders
Reilly
Raiders
82.00
11 Top Chops
Chops
81.00
12 Park City Pride
Park City Pride
80.00
13 Preston Scout House
Scout House
78.00
14 Steel City
Steel City Ambassadors 78.00
15 SoCal Dream
Los Angeles Dream 72.00
16 Les Diplomats
Les
Diplomats
70.00
Mini-Corps:
1 Star United
Bloomington, IN
98.33
2 Mass Brass
South Boston, MA
97.17
3 Golden Eagles
West Sayville, Long Island 95.17
4 Music City Legend
Nashville, TN
94.23
5 Ghost Rider
Batavia, NY
93.00
6 Minne Brass
St. Paul, MN
91.67
6 Thunderbirds
Erie, PA
91.67
8
Capital Brass
Albany, NY
84.33
9 Amoskeag Sound
Manchester, NH
81.00
9 Outlaws
Dallas, TX
81.00
11 Crossmen Xtreme
Philidelphia, PA
77.83
Brass Quartet:
1 Govies Tubas
Governaires
80.00
2 Renegade Quartette San Francisco
Renegades 79.00
3 Capital Brass!
Capital Brass!
75.00
Mid-Range:
1 Scooter Pirtle
Star of Indiana
90.00
2
Paul MacDonald
Capital Brass!
87.00
3 Dan Owens
Renegades
85.00
4 Jim Henry
Governaires
82.00
5 Dennis Tischhauser
Minnesota Brass
80.00
6 Bob Menear
Steel City Ambassadors
76.00
7 Anthony Fiumara
Shenendowa Sound
74.00
8 Rick Simard
Boston Crusaders
72.00
9 Rene' Le Sieur
Les Diplomats
68.00
10 Glenn Kubacki
Cabaleros
64.00
11 Daniel Hines
Skyliners
63.00
12 Kevin Serfass
Reilly Raiders
62.00
13 Daniele Lyman
Empire Statesmen
61.00
Full I&E Results Here:
http://www.dcacorps.org/2008/scores/ie08.pdf
CB! Brass Ensemble:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Terry Gordon - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Tom MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Cliff Brant. Jr. - baritone
- Hank Mikolajeski - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
CB! Mini-Corps:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Cliff Brant, Sr - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Terry Gordon - trumpet
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Tom MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Ken Norman - baritone
- Cliff Brant, Jr. - baritone
- Hank Mikolajeski - baritone
- Eldon Trego - baritone
- Russ Kagan - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
- Chris Rowlands - percussion
- Amedeo Bruni - percussion
Drum Corps Icon
to Perform with Capital Brass! at DCA!
8/22/08
Legendary Arranger and Instructor,
and Drum Corps Hall of Fame member, Ken Norman will perform with Capital Brass!,
at the DCA Mini-Corps Championships at Rochester!
An accomplished performer and
arranger, Ken Norman is also one of the great innovators in the drum corps
community. He was the chief proponent of the adoption of the G-F bugle,
considered by many to be the single most important development in brass
instrumentation. He was also a major contributor to the music analysis judging
sheet, the first "non-tick" caption sheet, first used in 1971. He was
instrumental in the first use of the mellophone as a solo and ensemble
instrument in brass voicing. His major contribution to drum corps activity is
arranging music. He has created charts for more than 100 drum and bugle corps
around the world, including Anaheim Kingsmen, Velvet Knights, DeLaSalle
Oaklands, Etobicoke Oakland Crusaders, Belleville Black Knights, Reading
Buccaneers, Syracuse Brigadiers, Spirit of ‘76 and the United States Air Force
Academy drum and bugle corps.
Ken is most famous for his
arrangement of Auld Lang Syne, which is played by countless corps' today, as a
tribute to a glorious time in drum corps history. But he also arranged nearly
all of the music that the Kilties played from 1968 through 1975. Ken is a true
Drum Corps Icon, and has been most recently affiliated with the Chicago
Royalaires Alumni Corps.
Capital Brass! is honored to have
him on board for the 2008 Championship show.
CB! Quartet performs in Franciscan Ceremony
8/15/08
On Friday, our small ensemble performed a for the
Franciscan Solemn Profession of Vows in Chicopee, MA. A highlight ogf the
program was a piece from Holst's "The Planets".
A special treat for us, was running across long-lost CBE Alumnus Father Mike,
who is now appointed to the Chicopee area.
(Yes... that's right... we had a Franciscan Friar in the corps in 93. Sooooo...
we got THAT going for us!)
20th Century Limited Returns to Kingston DCA!
8/11/08
TCL Senior Drum corps, of Highland, made a successful
return to the Kingston DCA contest Saturday night, after several years of
absence. Several CB! members performed in the show, with TCL.
A review from DCPlanet:
20th Century Limited (exhibition)
18 Brass, 5 snares, 2 tenors, 5 bds, 2plates, 5hg and 1dm
This small parade corps entered the field to begin the evening and formed a
concert arc with the battery behind. They played a number of brief arrangements
of patriotic favorites. This little corps played quite well. The percussion was
very tight and gave the signs of some very good instruction. They also played a
rockin cadence on the way out that had the audience clapping along. The brass
section played their quality arrangements to good effect. The honor guard also
made an effective color presentation. All-in-all, if you added a color guard,
20th Century Limited could successfully compete in DCA's Class A. They enjoyed a
well-earned standing ovation from the crowd.
Capital Brass! is proud of our relationship with these
fine people and send them all a heary Congratulations!!!!
|
Written by Tom
MacDonald, Public Relations, Mini
Corps Associates
|
|
Tuesday, 03
June 2008
|
 Representatives
of some of the best Mini-Corps in
the country will converge at Albany,
New York this fall; to compete for
the MCA Championship Title.
The event will be held:
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, 2:00-10:00
pm
State University of NY
Performing Arts Center
Albany, NY
The Mini-Corps contest will be held
in the Main Theater at 7:00 pm.
Individual and Ensemble competition
will be held in the Studio Theater
from 2:00-5:00pm.
Committed to compete as of this
date:
Amoskeag Sound - Manchester,
NH
Capital Brass! - Albany, NY
Ghost Riders - Parts Unknown,
NY
Mass
Brass - South Boston, MA
Golden Eagles - West
Sayville, NY
Windsor Regiment - West
Windsor, NJ
The Main Theater features
continental-style seating and every
seat is excellent!
All Seats: $12.00 : $10.00 in
advance. Admission to the I&E
portion of the show is free.
Don’t miss the very first MCA
Championship, the I&E contest OR the
after-party. A full day of the fun
and SUPER-sized entertainment that
the Mini-Corps’ bring to the stage.
Watch for updates on the event,
including schedule, I&E application
and Hotel info at:
www.capitalbrass.org/2008mca.htm
MCA invites new corps’ to apply for
membership by the August 25
deadline, in order to participate in
this historic event. Entry to I&E is
open to all brass & percussion
performers.
For further information contact Rod
Keppel, MCA President via email at
rkeppel1@rochester.rr.com
This
email address is being protected
from spam bots, you need Javascript
enabled to view it
, or Contest Coordinator Tom
MacDonald at
tommacd@nycap.rr.com
This
email address is being protected
from spam bots, you need Javascript
enabled to view it
.
Watch for more Strange News to come soon....
|
|
|
Bugler's Hall of Fame Results
Written by BHOF
Press Release
Tuesday, 08
April 2008
Link to
original story:
HERE
The
Bugler's Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the final scores from its North
American Championships, held Saturday, March 29 in Bridgeport, CT.
|
Category / Name |
Affiliation |
Entry |
Score |
| |
|
|
|
|
Percussion |
|
|
|
| Jack McGuiness |
Sky Alumni |
Keyboard Individual |
84 |
| Jonathan Bailey |
Selden |
Drum Set |
85 |
| Mark Carman |
|
Snare Individual |
94 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Midrange Individuals |
|
|
|
| Paul
Mac Donald |
Capital Brass |
Mellophone
|
82 |
| Meiko Hedling |
Sunrisers |
Mellophone |
72 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Baritone Individuals |
|
|
|
| Vidal Orduz |
Hurricanes |
Baritone Individual |
92 |
| Brian Law |
Bush & B'men |
Baritone Individual |
81 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Contra Bass Individuals |
|
|
|
| Carl Ferrigno |
Park City Pride |
Contra Individual |
57 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Soprano / Tenor / Trumpet Individuals |
|
|
| Nelsen Lesmerises |
Amoskeag Sound |
Soprano Individual |
74 |
| Glen Kubacki |
Freelancers |
Soprano Individual |
72 |
| Anthony Convertito
|
Park City / Hurricanes |
Trumpet Individual |
70 |
| Joe Brancati |
Amboy Dukes |
Soprano Individual |
68 |
| Anthony West |
St Rita's & Sky |
Soprano Individual |
67 |
| Carl Ferrigno |
Park City Pride |
Soprano Individual |
66 |
| |
|
|
|
|
DUETS |
|
|
|
| F. Dorritie & J.
Mitchell |
|
Brass Duet |
89 |
| F. Dorritie & J.
McGuiness |
Sun & Sky |
Mixed Duet |
87.5 |
| R. Ariola & J.
Maldonado |
St Rita's & Sky |
Brass Duet |
87 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Brass Ensembles |
|
|
|
|
Capital Brass |
|
Brass Ensemble |
90 |
| Romeo's |
|
Brass Ensemble |
83 |
| Touch of Brass |
Park City Pride |
|
68 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Mini Corps |
|
|
|
|
Capital Brass |
|
|
87 |
| Selden Cadets |
|
|
79.5 |
| St. Rita's Brassmen |
|
|
76.5 |
| Amoskeag Sound |
|
|
76.5 |
For more information, visit the
Bugler's Hall of Fame on
the web.
CB! Medal Winners -
3/29/08 - BHOF North American Championships
(see event coverage below)
Gold Medal - Mid-range:
Paul MacDonald
Gold Medal - Brass Ensemble:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Tom MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Bill Hoeprich - baritone
- Hank Mikolajeski - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
Gold Medal - Mini-Corps:
- Andrew Bisnett - trumpet
- Cliff Brant, Sr - trumpet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Tom MacDonald - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Bill Hoeprich - baritone
- Cliff Brant, Jr. - baritone
- Hank Mikolajeski - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
- Amedeo Bruni - percussion
Capital Brass! Wins 2 Titles at BHOF Championship
 Capital
Brass! was awarded the Bugler's Hall of Fame Championship in 2 hotly contested
categories:
Mini-Corps and Brass Ensemble
CB!'s Paul MacDonald (the defending
DCA Mid-Range World Champ) took the Gold in Mid-Range, with "Harlem Nocturne".
Performing with a full compliment of players for the first
time in '08, the Brass Ensemble successfully defended their 2007 title with:
"The Brass-O-Maniacs - a Cartoon Symphony"
The CB! Mini-Corps debuted the still-evolving "BIG PHAT mini-corps Show":
"Sway"
(shhhhhhh.....be vewy vewy quiet.....we're) "Hunting Wabbits"
"Hey, Pachuco"/"Sing, Sang, Sung"
The titles mark three straight Brass Ensemble wins for Capital Brass!, this year; having earlier taken the titles at the BHOF Regional event in Garfield, NJ, and also the Bridgemen Drum Fest title in Bayonne, NJ.
The Mini-Corps title is the first for CB!, having won the Silver Medal in the 2007 BHOF event, and 8th place at the DCA World Championship, last September.
Capital Brass! rehearses most Thursday evenings, 6:30-9:00, at Sand Creek Middle School, in Albany. There are still openings for experienced players; both brass & percussion. And CB! plans soon to start their new working guard.
Two More 1st Place Trophies at Bayonne!
3/17/08
 Capital Brass! took 1st and 2nd in the Brass Ensemble category, at the
Bridgemen Drum Fest this past weekend.
CB! Red Ensemble (The joke was that we HAVE NO RED in the uniform), took
1st, with "Hunting Wabbits" from the new Big Phat mini-Corps show...
....score: 94.0
And, CB! Blue Ensemble took 2nd, with our new 5-minute small-group piece: "The Brass-O-Maniacs - a Cartoon Symphony".... score: 92.0
3rd Place was taken by The Romeos's, from Long Island.
It was a flip-flop of placements from Garfield, and we were pretty happy that "Wabbits" had come along quite a bit, in the last 2 weeks.
The plan is that we'll be performing it as part of our full Mini-Corps show , in Bridgeport... (assuming that we get a few more players to Bridgeport).
Paul MacDonald took first in Mid-Range, improvising on "Everybody Loves the Blues": score: 88.0
Dave Sokol... 2nd, Tuba/Contra, playing Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", on "giganto.. the killer tuba" ... score: 92.0. Dave's performance was also brought up a notch or 2, since Garfield, as he incorporated some multi-phonics into the piece this time..
Another FINE job...
to quote one of the Brass Ensemble sheets...
"Bravo... Nice Performance"Partial Results:
| Capital Brass! Red |
|
Brass Ensemble |
94.0 |
| Capital Brass Blue |
|
Brass Ensemble |
92.0 |
| Romeo's |
|
Brass Ensemble |
? |
| |
|
|
|
| Paul MacDonald |
Capital Brass! |
Mid-Range |
88.0 |
| |
|
|
|
| Dale Riebesehl |
Bridgemen |
Contra/Tuba |
? |
| Dave Sokol |
Capital Brass! |
Contra/Tuba |
92.0 |
Capital Brass! Takes 3 medals at BHOF Regional Championship
2/23/08
Photos
HERE
The CB! 2008 debut came off pretty well yesterday, at the Skyliners/BHOF I&E event in Garfield.
A small brass group represented the corps with 2 ensemble entries: a brand new 5-minute brass ensemble piece, "The Brass-O-Maniacs - a Cartoon Symphony", and a selection from the 2008 mini-corps show, "Hunting Wabbits". Both arrangements by Tom MacDonald.
The crowd was extremely appreciative of both tunes, and CB! earned scores of 94 and 91, respectively, for the two entries; a great start for this very early stage of the season.
Comments from the adjudicator, spectators and competitors indicated that the cartoon music was very well received; even the original piece, by Gordon Goodwin.
During the Mini-Corps segment of the show, the group returned to the stage for an encore of "Sway" (arranged by John Arietano) , and received, perhaps, our best ovation of the day.
In the solo categories; CB's Dave Sokol was the lone entry for Tuba/Contra, and he did a fine job filling the room with his monster horn, on Charles Mingis' "Good Bye, Pork Pie Hat". Good for a score of 87.
And Paul MacDonald took the Gold in a strong field of Mid-Range players with an 85, for his improv performance of BS&T's "God Bless the Child".
The reception we received from the corps members and fans at the event was the best part of the day, and everyone should know that we all appreciated the hospitality and kind words VERY much. We can't wait to return next year!
The show was FILLED with great performances, and LOTS of fun. If you missed this one, you should make plans to get to Bayonne or Bridgeport.
THANK YOU! ... to the Skyliners Alumni and the BHOF for hosting the event and allowing us to take part.
Bugler's Hall of Fame Regional - I&E Results
Written by: Bugler's Hall of Fame release
Wednesday, 27
February 2008
The Bugler's Hall of
Fame 2008 North
American Regional
I&E Competition was
held on February 23,
2008 at the
Benda-Roehrich VFW
Post in Garfield,
NJ. Sponsored by the
Skyliner Alumni
organization, as
well as Dynasty and
Kanstul Musical
Instruments, the
competition featured
a variety of
performers from
several
organizations.
The
"North American
Championship Show"
will be held on
March 29, 2008 at
the Germania
Schwaben Club, 416
Horace Street,
Bridgeport, CT.
Results
and scores from the recent show are:
| |
Affiliation |
Entry |
Score |
| |
|
|
|
| PERCUSSION |
|
|
|
| Jack Murray |
Sky Alumni |
Snare Individual |
96 |
| Joe Fontana |
Sky Alumni |
Snare Individual
|
90 |
| Frank Zeigler |
Reilley Raiders |
Snare Individual |
86 |
| Fred Wasserman Category / Name |
Sky Alumini |
Snare Individual |
79 |
| John Neurohr |
Sky Alumni |
Snare Individual
|
78 |
| |
|
|
|
| Jonathan Bailey |
Selden |
Drum Set |
94 |
| |
|
|
|
| Jack McGuiness |
Sky Alumni |
Keyboard Individual |
86 |
| |
|
|
|
| J Fontana J Murray |
Sky Alumni |
Percussion Duet |
94 |
| |
|
|
|
| J McGuiness / Ed Byrnes |
Sky Alumni |
Keyborad / Tymp |
87 |
| |
|
|
|
| MIXED ENSEMBLE |
|
|
|
| J. Urspruch / J McGuiness |
Sky / Sky |
Mixed Duet |
86 |
| |
|
|
|
| CONTRA INDIVIDUAL |
|
|
|
| Dave Sokol |
Capital Brass |
Contra Individual |
87 |
| |
|
|
|
| MID RANGE INDIVIDUAL |
|
|
|
| Paul MacDonald |
Capital Brass |
Mid Range |
85 |
| Meiko Hedling |
Sun |
Mid Range |
78 |
| Anthony Famelio |
Music Express |
Mid Range |
76 |
| |
|
|
|
| BARITONE INDIVIDUAL |
|
|
|
| Ruben Ariola |
St Rita’s / Sky |
Baritone Individual |
93 |
| Brian Law |
Bush & Bridgemen |
Baritone Individual |
91 |
| Russell O’Mara |
Brooklyn United |
Baritone Individual |
85 |
| Frank McKeon |
Brooklyn United |
Baritone Individual |
83 |
| Mickey McKeon |
Brooklyn United |
Baritone Individual |
80 |
| |
|
|
|
| BRASS EMSEMBLE |
|
|
|
| Capital Brass Blue |
Capital Brass |
Brass Ensemble |
94 |
| Romeo's |
|
Brass Ensemble |
92 |
| Capital Brass Red |
Capital Brass |
Brass Ensemble |
91 |
| |
|
|
|
| SOPRANO / TRUMPET INDIVIDUALDUAL |
|
|
|
| Rich Wardlow |
Brooklyn United |
Soprano Individual |
83 |
| Anthony Speedy West |
St Rita’s / Sky |
Soprano Individual |
82 |
| Glen Kubacki |
Freelancers |
Soprano Individual |
77 |
| Anthony Convertito |
Hurricanes |
Soprano Individual |
75 |
|
| |
9/9/07
Photos
HERE
Video
HERE
Congratulations to
PAUL MACDONALD,
of Capital Brass!
The 2007 DCA World Champion Mid-Range
Soloist!
Wins Gold Medal, against stiff
competition, with a score of 94.0!
- Also to
Jeff Young and
Dave Sokol who represented us well in the Trumpet and
Tuba events, respectively.
And to the
Capital Brass! Mini-corps:
8th Place, with a score of 86.25!
..in competition with 18 mini-corps' from
across the country!
...including representatives from: San
Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Philadelphia, New Hampshire, Southern
California, North Carolina, Minneapolis, Kentucky, New York
City, Long Island, Rochester, Indianapolis and MORE!
DCA World Championship Mini-corps results:
1- 98.50 Star United
2- 95.50 Renegades
3- 94.75 Golden Eagles
4- 91.50 Thunderbirds
5- 90.125 Minne Brass
6- 88.25 Ghostriders
7- 87.75 Mass Brass
8- 86.25 Capital Brass!
9- 85.00 So Cal Dream
10- 82.00 Outlaws
11- 77.25 Skyliners
12- 76.75 Amoskeag Sound (1.0)
13- 76.50 CrossmenXtreme
14- 75.50 Derby City Knights
15- 66.75 St. Kevin's
16- 63.00 Carolina Gold
17- 62.60 Imperials
18- 62.25 Excelsior
Note: 2 (of the 4) judges had Capital Brass! in 6th place (88 & 89)
...and one had them in 4th Place in Performance Effect!
Great job against a superb line-up of top corps!
recap here
Solo Mid-Range Results:
1- 94.0 Paul MacDonald (Capital Brass!)- Gold Medal
2- 93.0 Robert Bohanek (Chops)
3- 92.0 Miranda Jackson (Minnesota Brass)
5- 88.0 Mike Barns (Park City Pride
6- 87.0 Rick Simard (Mass Brass)
7- 85.0 Dennis Tischaauser (Minnesota Brass)
8- 83.00 Steve Severance (Frontier)
9- 81.00 Glenn Kubacki (Sunrisers/Cabs Alumni)
10- 78.0 Tony Familio (Bridgemen)
Also: Jeff Young - 13th -Soprano/Trumpet
Dave Sokol - 4th - Tuba/Contra
and the Brass Quintet and Brass Ensemble also scored respectably; each earning a score of 83.0
Full DCA I&E results here
Capital Brass Ensemble To Debut At Historic Saratoga
Written by Tom MacDonald, Capital Brass
Thursday, 26 July 2007
 August
4th will mark the debut of the new Capital Brass Ensemble. The performance will
be the first of a set of weekly appearances at the famous Saratoga Race Track.
The track gig is a great get for the young group;
procured largely on the reputation of the organizations signature music group:
Brass-O-Mania!,which kicked off the season on Opening Day (7/25) for
their14th SEASON AT THE TRACK.
The venue is up-close and intimate in the very crowded "paddock " area, where the public sets up picnic areas before the races begin. CBE will be on a bill that includes some of the best and longest running professional acts in the region.
Most of the CB! Mini-corps members will participate in at least some of the track gigs, and they will be joined by several Brass-O-Mania! players to make up the new Capital Brass Ensemble.
This debut marks a HUGE step toward integrating a corps-style ensemble into the mainstream music scene. This dream is about to become a reality - just 1 week from now!
Going forward:
In the Fall, the 2 groups will begin to rehearse separately, with a fair amount of cross-over (both material and personnel) expected:
Capital Brass! will continue to be developed as a drum corps project; mostly performing in area parades and other events; and possibly traveling to MCA and I&E events to compete as a mini-corps and/or breaking into smaller entries.
Some plans for the mini-corps include the development of a Percussion Ensemble; continuation of Alumni performance projects; development of a battery for marching parades with the minicorps and/or the continuation of the Mardi-Gras Ensemble (a strolling, New Orleans-style parade unit).
In addition to the mini-corps, the creation of a separate Capital Brass Ensemble for `08 brings CB! a number of advantages:
The new group will utilize the many very experienced players picked up this summer, who are not able to travel , but have a huge amount of experience and talent that could be funneled into a local-only concert group. The smaller, more experienced group will be better able to meet the higher demand (in terms of volume and material) expected from the `08 book.
CBE will also be an excellent place for dedicated members from Capital Brass! to aspire to: a chance to perform with a high octane group, with a large music book; allowing the organization to grow players from within.
The group is also a natural for sharing brass players and drummers with B-O-M; and functioning as a smaller all-brass version of the large jazz ensemble; and fitting PERFECTLY into the original plan to develop a drum-corps style ensemble which could compete for jobs with other "legit" acts.
And, with the personnel ALREADY ON BOARD, this group will be able to handle a wide variety of material; and will be the standard-bearer for the Capital Brass! brand.
BOTH groups will continue to use corps-style instrumentation; and to push the envelope in terms of corps ensembles in the Albany area..
The 2 corps-style groups now take a legitimate place in the B-O-M family of music ensembles:
Capital Brass!
Capital Brass Ensemble
Brass-O-Mania!
The B-O-M Big Band
and to debut in `08: our all-union Big Band
Players in the Albany area, who want to be part of a PROFESSIONAL, DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION, that is NOT STOPPING HERE, should contact:
Tom MacDonald
tommacd@nycap.rr.com
Capital Brass! Documentary
Film Completed
Written by Tom MacDonald, Capital Brass
Wednesday, 04
July 2007
A condensed, preview copy of the CB! Mini-corps
documentary, "Gonna Happen", is now available thru the CB! website.
The soundtrack for the film is concert audio from all
three Spring events: Quest TEAM, BHOF Championships and MCA Invitational,
including:
Concierto De Aranjuez
Sway
Memories of You
Everyday, I Have the Blues
And, the piece dubbed into the "retro" scene (with old CBE photos) is the gold-medal winning quintet, at BHOF, playing "A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square".
There is some nice audio which didn't make the film, and those complete audio clips will soon be up up on the CB! site.
The preview film is full-length, but has a reduced size and audio/video quality for web viewing.
A high quality version will be available on DVD this Fall, and it will include:
* the full 20 minute film in High Resolution
* out-takes and member commentary
* un-edited concert footage
* follow-up coverage from our upcoming trip to DCA Rochester.
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to: Film-maker Aaron McGrath; the crew from the RIT Film and Animation School; and "Sometimes I Make Films" Productions!
To link to the preview film, go to the Capital Brass! website, www.capitalbrass.org ,and select "CB Media". Then, follow the links to CB! Video and Gonna Happen.
Capital Brass! Makes DCI And Track Appearances
Sunday, 17 June
2007 link to DCP story:
CB! at DCI and Track events
Capital
Brass! Mini-corps will perform to open up the Adirondack Drums DCI contest, in
Glens Falls, on Monday, 7/2.
Performing in the concession area for an intimate setting
- appropriate for an up-close, in-your-face mini-corps performance - CB! will
debut their newly updated mini-corps show.
The performance begins at 6:30 sharp, and will feature a NEW, surprise closer!
Don't miss a minute of this unique, Big Band - style show which will showcase the versatility of the young group; including exciting improv solo work, covering ALL of the voices, by Kevin Hendrick, Paul MacDonald , John Blood and Dave Sokol; additional solos by screamer Scott Thompson, Dan Hines and Tom MacDonald and a drum feature with Rob Cenci on set - along with some sweet ensemble work by the entire corps.
Then, the corps moves to the stadium for a 7:00 performance of the National Anthem, which will open this great TEN CORPS DCI show.
This is THE big drum corps event for our area, and CB! is very proud to be a part of it.
http://www.adirondackdrums.com/
A week before the mini-corps appears in Glen Falls, The Capital Brass Ensemble will show it's versatility on Tuesday 6/26 (7-8pm), with a concert performance at the Poestenkill Historical Society.
The brass ensemble will perform tunes from our mini-corps show, PLUS a preview of the material we'll be using at the Saratoga Race Track this summer.
This gig was booked as a warm-up for the summer brass ensemble gigs. The race track series is a very prestigious event for the brand new group to be included in. The event has live music every day of the season, including some of the top jazz, bluegrass, blues and dixieland acts in the region.
Capital Brass Ensemble and Brass-O-Mania! will play SIX of the best weekend dates: including Opening Day (7/25) and the premier date of the Summer Meet; Travers Day (8/25).
Quest TEAM and BHOF Championships
MCA Invitational
DCI Glens
Falls
Saratoga
Race Track series
Mardi
Gras and Percussion Ensemble debuts, in local parades
DCA
I&E
What a season for the brand new Capital Brass!
More info at: www.capitalbrass.org
CB! Performs at Inaugural MCA Event
4/16/07
Photos
HERE
Capital Brass! appears in exhibition at Harrisburg Mini-corps Event
3 months of work and a long trip to Pennsylvania culminated Saturday with a very satisfying performance in this historic event. Although some technical conflicts kept the corps from official competition, the mini-corps WAS judged and received some great positive feedback from a judging panel that was obviously very surprised at the level of musicianship evidenced in the performance.
Although not given an official score, judges on the panel indicated that CB! would have placed within the very tightly-scored group that took 2nd thru 4th: a very satisfying achievement for a brand new program, with a new book ALL learned in the last few months.
A number of CB! members (including half of the mid-range section) could not make the trip, but they were still able to put one of the larger groups on stage, with 18 brass (7/3/6/2) and 1 percussionist.
Having just learned a new John Arietano number, "Memories of You" in the last few weeks, the corps performed their entire mini-corps show for the first time, and all were pleased at how strong this new selection was. The program also included: "Concierto De Aranjeuz", "Sway" and "Everyday I Have the Blues",
The corps was well received by the audience, who seemed to just LOVE the show, giving the corps standing-O's both DURING the performance and afterward!
Winners were the Golden Eagles. Mass Brass (who finished just one point ahead of CB! in Bridgeport) placed second
Final Results:
1 - 86.25 - West Sayville Golden Eagles
2 - 82.75 - Mass Brass (1 point penalty)
3 - 81.25 - Ghost Riders
4 - 79.75 - Amoskeag Sound
5 - 76.50 - Crossmen Xtreme
6 - 74.50 - Lambertville Volunteers
In Exhibition:
Steel City Ambassadors
Capital Brass!
Link to original story: Drum Corps Planet - Bugler's Hall of Fame Championship Results
Written by Buglers Hall of Fame
Release
Monday, 19 March 2007
 The
inaugural North American Championship, sponsored by the Bugler's Hall of Fame
was a great success - with constant accolades by the participants and audience
on the professionalism of the production of the show and all of the
performances. Held at the John J. Cox Student Center at the University of
Bridgeport (CT) on Saturday evening, the event made for a most enjoyable evening
and made its statement as an Individual show not to be missed in the future.
Plans are already being made for the 2008 show.
The
final results are as-follows:
Bugler's Hall of Fame
North American Championship
March 17, 2007
| Category / Name |
Affiliation |
Entry |
Score |
| Soprano / Tenor / Trumpet Individuals |
|
|
| Willy Carmona |
Fusion Core |
Trumpet |
86 |
| Nelson Lesmerises |
Muchachoes Sr |
Soprano |
85 |
| Jimmy Maldonado |
St Rita's, Sky |
Soprano |
84 |
| Kenton Clarke |
St Raphale's, Sky |
Soprano |
83 |
| John Kamerdin |
Sunrisers |
Soprano |
71 |
| Tony Martin |
Ct Alumni |
Soprano |
71 |
| John (Cupcakes ) Curran |
Hurricanes |
Soprano |
69 |
| Anthony West |
St Rita's, Sky |
Soprano |
68 |
| Dan Hines |
Capital Brass |
Soprano |
60 |
| Glen Kubacki |
Freelancers |
Soprano |
59 |
|
|
|
|
| Midrange Individuals |
|
|
|
| Paul Macdonald |
Capital Brass |
Midrange |
86 |
| Mike Barnes |
Park City Pride |
Midrange |
77 |
| Jason Chin |
Sunrisers |
Midrange |
76 |
| David Lafond |
Amoskeag Sound |
Midrange |
75 |
| Anthony Convertito |
Hurricanes |
Midrange |
74 |
|
|
|
|
| Baritone Individuals |
|
|
|
| Ruben Ariola |
St Rita's, Skyliners |
Baritone |
93 |
| Vidal Orduz |
Hurricanes |
Baritone |
85 |
| Pepe Algarin |
Park City Pride |
Baritone |
81 |
| John (Cupcakes) Curran |
St Kevin's |
Baritone |
73 |
| Joe Convertito |
Hurricanes |
Baritone |
70 |
|
|
|
|
| Contra Bass Individuals |
|
|
|
| David Sokol |
Capital Brass |
Contra |
88 |
| John Philbrook |
Mass Brass |
Contra |
78 |
|
|
|
|
| Brass Ensembles |
|
|
|
| Capital Brass ( 5 TET ) |
Capital Brass |
Brass Ensemble |
89 |
| Capital Brass ( 10 TET ) |
Capital Brass |
Brass Ensemble |
88 |
| The Three Tenors |
|
Brass Ensemble |
85 |
| Magnificient 8 |
Park City Pride |
Brass Ensemble |
72 |
| Touch of Brass |
Park City Pride |
Brass Ensemble |
70 |
| Rice & Beans |
Fusion Core |
Brass Ensemble |
68 |
| Holly Martin & Eldon Trego |
Fusion Core |
Brass Ensemble |
60 |
|
|
|
|
| Mini Corps |
|
|
|
| Mass Brass |
|
Mini Corps |
91 |
| Capital Brass |
|
Mini Corps |
90 |
| Amoskeag Sound |
|
Mini Corps |
80 |
CB! Medal Winners - 3/17/07 -North American Championships
(see event coverage below)
Gold Medal - Mid-range: Paul MacDonald
Gold Medal - Tuba/Contra: Dave Sokol
Gold Medal - Brass Ensemble:
CB! Quintet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Tom MacDonald - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone
- Holly Marino - mellophone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
Silver Medal - Brass Ensemble
CB! Ten-tet
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Dan Hines - trumpet
- Tom MacDonald - trumpet
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone/trumpet
- Holly Marino - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Ralph Marino - baritone
- Russ Kagan - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
Silver Medal - Mini-corps
- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet
- Dan Hines - trumpet
- Tom MacDonald - trumpet/flugelhorn
- Jeff Young - trumpet
- Terry Stoliker - trumpet
- Al Richards - trumpet
- Paul MacDonald - mellophone/trumpet
- Holly Marino - mellophone
- Jacqui Seaborg - mellophone
- Holly Grosheck - mellophone
- Arron Koffman - baritone
- Ralph Marino - baritone
- Russ Kagan - baritone
- Eldon Trego - baritone
- Mike Gottier - baritone
- Dave Sokol - tuba
- Joe Chizek - tuba
- Frank DelRay - percussion
CB! takes FIVE medals at Bridgeport Championships
3/18/07
The new Capital Brass! returned today from The North American Brass & Percussion Championships with 3 Gold medals and 2 Silver!
Although challenged by a freak weather system that caused some members to cancel the trip, most of the group, coming in from PA, MA, and Upstate NY, managed to make it to Bridgeport - in order to compete in the inaugural event, sponsored by the Bugler's Hall of Fame.
Competitors from all over the Northeast - New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania converg
ed on the event - including entries from:
Manchester Muchachos, Park City Pride, Sunrisers, Hurricanes, St. Rita's
Brassmen, Mass Brass, Selden Cadets, Ct Alumni, Fusion Core, St. Kevin's and
the Skyliners.
CB! members Paul MacDonald (Mid-Range) and Dave Sokol (Tuba/Contra) each won the Gold in their categories.
The group also took the Gold AND the Silver medals in the Brass Ensemble category, against some fierce competition.
With a Brass Quintet, playing "A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square", CB! took home the Gold. AND they also took the Silver medal, with a "Ten-tet", playing "Sway". The Bronze was taken home by the famous brass trio, The Three Tenors, featuring: Frank Dorritie, Jeff Mitchell and Ace Peterson.
Although short a couple of players, the CB! Mini-corps (6/4/5/2 and 1 percussion), also placed well; taking the Silver medal with a score of 90.0. The score placed them only ONE point short of the Gold, which was taken by the reigning MCA Champion, Mass Brass. The mini-corps performed a program which included: "Concierto De Aranjuez", "Sway" and "Everyday, I Have the Blues".
Gold Medal for Trumpet/Soprano went to Willy Carmona - Fusion Core
Gold for Baritone: Ruben Ariola - St. Rita's Brassmen
Best in Show: Richie Price - for a wonderful exhibition on trumpet
Congratulations to all the performers in this great event! It was a tremendous evening of entertainment.
Capital Brass! Wins Brass Ensemble Title at Brooklyn Event!
2/25/07
The first leg of the CB! 2007 journey was completed last night with a win in the Brass Ensemble category at the Quest T.E.A.M. event in Brooklyn!
With a 14-pc brass ensemble (4/4/5/1), and a program which included "Concierto De Aranjuez" and "Sway" , CB! scored a very respectable 88.0, for first place. Brooklyn United took second place, with a score of 72.0.
3 CB! soloists; Dave Sokol, Paul MacDonald and Dan Hines; also did very well in the event , finishing in 3rd, 4th and 5th place; with Dave Sokol (tuba) only 1 point out of second place. The top 2 spots were taken by long-time DCA soloists Ruben Ariola and Kenton Clarke.
Unfortunately, the CB! Brass Quartet was cut from the program, due to time constraints.
Our mid and low brass especially shined last night; with an almost flawless performance. Some great positive feedback was received from the audience, and the adjudicators. And we were all very happy to get off to such a good start after beginning preparations for the event just last month.
Work will begin on Wednesday, with our full mini-corps, to prepare for our participation in the Bridgeport I&E event on March 17th. Only 3 rehearsals to go, so we've got our work cut out for us. We can still use a couple of players for Bridgeport and Harrisburg, and a couple of more who are interested in doing local gigs.
Come by the Verdoy Fire Dept on Wednesday (6:30-8:30) to check it out!
info at: www.brassomaina.com
T.E.A.M. Review 2/24/2007......
On
Saturday, February 24, 2007, Quest Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps held its Fourth Annual
T.E.A.M Competition at Benjamin Banneker PS 256. What a great night. From Long
Island’s “Blue Jays Drum & Bugle Corps”, to Connecticut’s “High Steppers Drill
Team/Drum Corps” and Albany’s “Capital Brass”, competitors representing an array
of locations were all brought together to display their talents in various
performing arts. This years T.E.A.M. Competition went to new heights. The
afternoon was filled with both exciting competition and performances. It
started with eight competitors in the Individual Junior Percussion category.
Asani Manning, an alumni of the Quest program, took first place fy scoring 85.5.
He has been the reigning champion of this junior division since the T.E.A.M.
competitions began in 2003. Next was the Individual Junior Brass category also
consisting of eight competitors. Rashad Tillman; an active Quest participant
took first place with a solid score of 55. His tone and intonation proved to be
quite pleasing to the ear.
The
sole electronic keyboard competitor, Kim John Miller, scored a 65.50 and moved
the audience with a classical piece “Ode to Joy” from the Ninth Symphony. This
demonstrates the versatility of musical genres being advocated by Quest. The
“Sophisticated High Steppers Drill Team and Drum Corps” then added another
dimension to the program. this up and coming group, out of Waterbury, CT, with
its step and drill moves. The group performed well with coordinating moves while
incorporating dynamic percussion effects. The crowd was visibly entertained.
“Kids
In Praise” out of Brooklyn, NY, performed a praise dance to contemporary gospel
music. It was a spiritually uplifting performance and demonstrated the young
ladies commitment to dance. With a score of 85.5, this fantastic group
took first place in the Ensemble category. The young ladies from the Quest Color
Guard then performed. They are also saxophone players in the Quest R&B
band. Their efforts came shining through with a routine they helped
coordinate. Their score of 72.5 gave this much deserving group second place but
they got an A+ for effort and commitment. All the way from Philadelphia, PA the
“Foot Stompers Drill Team & Drum line” came ready to ignite the crowd. They won
the category of Drill team/Drum line with a score of 72. Next, the “Sky
Liners Alumni Percussion Duet”, a senior duet who tour all over the country with
their awesome routine, hit the stage. The audience was taken on a historical
adventure as a result of this duo using a variety of percussion instruments to
tell the story. They were wonderful. In the Senior Individual Percussion
Category, Jack Murray took first place in the on snare with a score of 94.00.
Ruben Ariola, took first place with a score of 94.50 in the much anticipated
Senior Individual Brass Category. This Trumpet player astounded the crowd
with his far reaching range. For their first time together, “Brooklyn United
Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps” performed with the “Wynn Center Toppers Sr. Drum &
Bugle Corps”. The merger of these two groups is to preserve the history of
Brooklyn’s past Drum & Bugle Corps. The next performance was
“Capital Brass” all the way from Albany, NY. This impacting brass ensemble gave
our kids something to aspire to. The selections of “Concierto De Aranjuez”
& “Sway “ brought a sweet taste of variety to the show.
The
final performance was given by the Quest R & B Band. This was the debut
performance of the young musicians. Quest is using the R&B music to cater to the
interest of kids and provide a one stop shopping center for the Free Music
Program.
This
years T.E.A.M. competition line up was the most exciting ever. We have designed
this event to bring generations together in a competitive and learning
environment. The kids witnessed adult groups and individuals perform with great
enthusiasm and precision. Look forward to seeing you next year.
Capital Brass!
Announces 2007 Plans
12/26/06
The new Capital Brass! has some exciting performance plans for
the new year. Members will take part in several unique experiences,
including:
- The mini-corps has become a member of MCA (Mini Corps Associates). And, they have been invited to appear at the inaugural MCA Invitational, on April 14th. This contest will be held as part of the Serenade in Brass concert, in Harrisburg, PA. Serenade in Brass in THE premier spring drum corps event in the Northeast.
- CB! will produce an ensemble to send to the both the T.E.A.M. I&E Championships, in Brooklyn, on February 24th, and the North American Brass & Percussion I&E Championships, in Bridgeport, CT. The later event is sponsored by the Buglers Hall of Fame and will be held on March 17th.
- Members will participate in a professional recording session, where they will produce a demo recording for promotional use.
- A student filmmaker at RIT has plans for a DOCUMENTARY FILM about the birth and development of Capital Brass!, culminating in our “coming out” on the national stage this spring.
- CB! will begin adding ALUMNI members later this spring; to participate, along with full-time members, as part of a Capital Region Alumni Corps – appearing in a few local parades and events. Alumni members will be committed only to a very limited rehearsal schedule and to whatever events in which they are available to participate.
- The corps is in negotiation for several very high profile local appearances for Spring and Summer; including a series of appearances at the famous Saratoga Race Track.
- After a 14 year absence, Capital Brass! will return to the DCA Championships, on Labor Day weekend. Depending on the number of interested players, CB! will be appearing in one or more of the I&E championship events.
- Rehearsals begin on Thursday, January 11th.
CB! is now considering new applicants, brass, percussion and guard, who would like to be a part of an EXCITING and DYMANIC music group.
Support personnel, interested in working on any of the projects listed, are also welcome.
We’ve already done the hard part: the mini-corps was launched in December, and got off the ground at a very high performance level, with 5 big local appearances. Now, YOU can be a part of the growth to BIGGER and BETTER things!
Brass players shine in band
New group formed to play swinging music for horns
By KEN THURMAN, Staff writer, Times Union
First published: Wednesday, October 11, 2006
If you've got time to blow, then Kevin Hendrick and Tom MacDonald are looking for you. The leaders of Brass O Mania, a professional swing and dance band that features horns, have started a new group -- Capital Brass -- made up of nonprofessional players and lovers of swing and other types of music performed on brass instruments.
"We just started up in September with the idea of forming a band for the recreational player and everything is already coming to fruition," said MacDonald, 50, a Defreestville resident.
He said the reason he and fellow musician Hendrick, who lives in Delmar, decided to form the new amateur group was simple: "We wanted to give others the opportunity to get involved with playing," said MacDonald, who helped found Brass O Mania about a dozen years ago, with local musician and composer, Kevin Foster. That 16-piece, all-acoustic jazz band has been a featured act at the Saratoga Race Course since 1995.
MacDonald said the members of Capital Brass, which practices Wednesday evenings at his home, may not be as polished yet, but they already know nearly 30 songs and are eagerly gearing up to play publicly soon.
"We expect to be playing holiday concerts this fall and at malls and park settings," MacDonald said.
He describes the style of music they play as everything from swing to pop, all done with the sound of acoustic brass. The band is currently made up of 18 members who play trumpet, mellophone, baritone and tuba.
Rehearsals are held in a large custom-built practice room in MacDonald's Defreestville home. Players from across the Capital Region, including some from as far away as Springfield, Mass., and Cairo, Greene County, are members of the group, he said.
With the size of and interest in the band already growing, MacDonald said the group is now looking for new and larger quarters where they can practice.
In addition, the group is seeking a few more players -- specifically a mellophone, baritone and a tuba player, he said. They are also looking to book free concerts during the fall and winter.
If you call, they may be coming to an event near you.
If you'd like to learn more, call MacDonald at 286-3148.
Thurman can be reached at 454-5638 or by e-mail at kthurman@timesunion.com.
Tom
MacDonald
tommacd@nycap.rr.com
|
