Musical Members

[jaysonsmom]

Date: 6/11/2005 5:51:56 PM
Author: blueroses
I''m a pianist too. (12 years of lessons, then abandoned for the theatre

) and I sing.

Same exact thing, 12 years of piano lessons, and sang in choirs my whole life. Didn''t get anywhere with piano or singing though.

 

[eks6426]

sjz--yes, my fiance was a Marching Illini. The reunion he coordinates is always on homecoming weekend (Oct 22nd this year I think). He doesn't play though...he usually directs now. So, he's up on the podium rather than in the band. It's pretty amazing to watch all of the alumni come back and practice only a few hours then perform. I guess once a marching Illini, always a marching Illini. I didn't realize you live in Champaign. Our wedding will be there in just a few days--July 3. We're getting married on the quad. Since he's the musical one of the relationship he is in charge of music. All I know so far is that he has arranged a chime concert after our wedding. I'm pretty sure all the marching band students are off campus then or else he'd probably try to arrange them for our wedding

 

[Spear]

Date: 6/11/2005 6:34:09 PM
Author: cflutist
Lets see:

Fellow tooters (flute) - twinkletoes, ForteKitty (ask her to tell her story about a joke she played on fellow band member after he damaged her precious piccolo), Diamonds4me, and Sparker (haven''t seen her for a while)

Chrono - piano and violin

John Quixote - timpani/percussion

SevensOnes - Euphonium (I bet she got to sit will all the guys during band practice)

Bikergirl - oboe and accordion

Sjz - Musician Extraordinaire - who plays sax, flute, clarinet, french horn, trumpet and has gorgeous diamond bracelets to boot

If I am not mistaken, David (Diamonds by Lauren) is a musician as well.

 

[jellybean]

Hey Island Dreams! I went to U of I! I wasn''t a Marching Illini but a couple of my friends were. That''s cool that you''re getting married on the Quad!

I play the piano and clarinet but I was rebellous and decided not to play in high school.

All my friends were in band and a lot of my teachers thought I was in band b/c I hung out with the "band people".

A couple of my guy friends were really good in brass and played in the Phantom Regimen (of Drum Corps International (DCI)). My friends and I used to go to their competitions. It was so much fun - I really miss it. I have a few of their CD''s as well.

 

[sjz]

Date: 6/13/2005 3:18:29 PM
Author: IslandDreams
sjz--yes, my fiance was a Marching Illini. The reunion he coordinates is always on homecoming weekend (Oct 22nd this year I think). He doesn''t play though...he usually directs now. So, he''s up on the podium rather than in the band. It''s pretty amazing to watch all of the alumni come back and practice only a few hours then perform. I guess once a marching Illini, always a marching Illini. I didn''t realize you live in Champaign. Our wedding will be there in just a few days--July 3. We''re getting married on the quad. Since he''s the musical one of the relationship he is in charge of music. All I know so far is that he has arranged a chime concert after our wedding. I''m pretty sure all the marching band students are off campus then or else he''d probably try to arrange them for our wedding

CONGRATS! The quad will be a nice place to have your wedding. Heck, I might even sneak by and see if I can get a peek of the bride! Maybe I will see your hubby at homecoming. We are usually around for that weekend. My daughter has been in the homecoming parade a time or two with her pom pom squad.

The chime concert sounds lovely, too. Most of the band students will probably be gone when you get married. Most of the students do leave in the summer. We love it, though. We hang out on campus a lot in the summer because it''s not crowded and there is some really good ethnic food to enjoy...just not when all the students are around.

Again, congrats on your upcoming wedding!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 6/13/2005 4:44:25 PM
Author: jellybean

A couple of my guy friends were really good in brass and played in the Phantom Regimen (of Drum Corps International (DCI)). My friends and I used to go to their competitions. It was so much fun - I really miss it. I have a few of their CD's as well.

Jellybean - You probably know, but for others lurking, anyone in America/Canada can attend the Summer Games from now through the beginning of August.

Alert

A shout out to ALL of our musical members... For any who haven't seen this marriage of music and motion - catch a show near you. It's not too expensive and you won't believe what these young musical athletes (ages up to 21) are capable of... Kind of like marching band on steroids meets Cirque du Soleil.

Check the Drum Corps International website for the tour schedule. Many of my past students have been in various corps. I have several marching this summer with the Cavaliers, the Phantom Regiment, the Madison Scouts and the Bluecoats. I still work for Yamaha at several weekend events and regularly work the DCI World Championships each year in August.

 

[jellybean]

I highly agree with John -- if you are into music, especially brass and percussion, you have to see a Drum Corps show. It is a lot of fun. The music is incredible and the performances are so cool as well. Each corps usually does some sort of theme for their shows. And, it is recommended for all ages.

My friends were so sad when they graduated (turned 21) but they are still involved with the corps to some degree. One of my friends is the band teacher at his high school now, and they do very well at state each year.

 

[sjz]

I graduated from HS over 20 years ago, and it''s been a LONG time since I''ve marched in a band, but I still love going to marching band competitions and Drum Corps shows and competitions. I can''t wait until my kids are in HS and can be in marching band. I had a few friends from HS who went on to be in their university marching bands, and a couple of friends who were in the Phantom Regimen. It''s an awesome thing to see! It''s also a lot of fun to participate in and kids learn a lot of discipline from being involved in this type of music. It''s almost like being in atheletics, only more musical...lol.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 6/14/2005 11:13:34 AM
Author: jellybean
I highly agree with John -- if you are into music, especially brass and percussion, you have to see a Drum Corps show. It is a lot of fun. The music is incredible and the performances are so cool as well. Each corps usually does some sort of theme for their shows. And, it is recommended for all ages.

My friends were so sad when they graduated (turned 21) but they are still involved with the corps to some degree. One of my friends is the band teacher at his high school now, and they do very well at state each year.

Psst, Jellybean, don't forget DANCE

Part of the pageantry is the color guard, typically around 40 of the corps' members, who perform breathtaking modern and classical dance while also handling equipment with ninja-like skill. Balanced with the dynamic contrast offered by brass and drumline it's a feast for the eyes and ears.

PS - I have good friends who teach at Marian. You live in a great band state... Ever get to BOA Nationals in Indy?

 

[jellybean]

Can''t forget the color guard! One of my girlfriends was in the Phantom Regimen guard and she said it was tough! By the end of the performance she was completely drenched in sweat.

I''ve never been to Indy.

Does your friend teach at Marian or Marian Catholic? Marian catholic was always our nemesis.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Sorry JB - My friends are indeed aligned with Marian Catholic

.

Take solace though. The main TX group I've worked with competes against them too. As adult instructors we're fierce gladiators on the field of honor, but good friends outside of the arena.

You know there is a summer DCI regional in the RCA Dome in Indy.

 

[flopkins]

another flutist here!

from about 3rd grade through high school. I have many fond memories of ''band camp''!!! haven''t touched it since! also played piano for about 8-10 years, still do when I get the urge...

must be a connection between flutists and diamonds... hm???

 

[Erin]

My parents '' made me'' take piano for a lil over 10 years. When it came time to choose an instrument for 5th grade band, the teacher practically forced the french horn down me because had already acquired an ear for pitch. I sometimes play fh in community orchestras.

 

[Diamonds4Me]

TY cflutist

I also play the piano, piccolo (well, a baby flute

) and have tried my hand at the violin...which has contributed to my cat''s nervous break down

 

[BrightSpot]

LOL re: your cat''s nervous breakdown, diamonds4me! My cat seems fairly interested when I sing musical theatre stuff (especially if I insert her name into the lyrics) but runs away when I sing opera. Too loud?

 

[Lorelei]

That is too funny Brightspot! It''s nice to know that I am not the only person to sing to their cats, I like cringeworthy pop songs ( eps ''70''s ones) and insert their names!! I don''t think they appreciate my efforts very much

either

 

[sjz]

I don''t think that animals appreciate fine music the way that humans do. My dog has been known to howl when I''m playing my sax. I try not to take it persoanlly, though...

 

[JohnQuixote]

Suzi, I've been meaning to ask you. What jewelry do you have that matches the finish on your soprano? Do you wear it intentionally when playing?

 

[BrightSpot]

My voice teacher offers lessons in her home & has a dog who "sings" (howls) along with some of the singers. I''m not sure if she wants to join in the fun or is protesting the noise!

 

[Diamonds4Me]

lol, Brightspot..all I have to do is pull out the violin case and she''s gone. When I play the flute or the piano she''s all over my feet or lounging in the corner. She seems to love it. My flute teacher used to make me sing (I CAN NOT SING!) because she said that "The flute is an extension of your voice!". Blahhhhhhhh

I think she just did it to torture me, lol.

 

[BrightSpot]

diamonds4me, that''s funny that kitty can''t stand the violin! Maybe she knows what the strings are made of....

(I know, it''s not actually from the cats...)

I think that''s a great technique for you to sing a bit when working with your flute. I''ve heard of many teachers of various instruments using this method. It''s a nice way to "feel" the musical phrases. (though, if you don''t like to sing, sometimes it''s hard to move past that!)

 

[sjz]

Date: 6/16/2005 1:24:15 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
Suzi, I''ve been meaning to ask you. What jewelry do you have that matches the finish on your soprano? Do you wear it intentionally when playing?

John,

Until recently I didn''t wear my rings while playing. I''ve started to now, though. I have several diamond rings and a pretty flash diamond tennis bracelet that look really nice. All are in yellow gold and plat. For technical reasons, I don''t wear any rings that are "spin prone" cuz it bothers me. Also bulky rings bother me when I play, too. I tend to get kind of wild with my fingering with the jazz licks sometimes. My favorite ring to wear when I play tends to be a 5 row channel set diamond band ring. It sparkles a lot when I move my hands and is very easy and comfortable to wear. As far as what I wear intentionally when I play, kind of depends on the venue. If I''m just practicing, not much jewelry. If I am in a concert and very dressed up, more bling. If I am just horsing around with my band, my jewelry suits my mood.

I''m thinking if I get better on the flute, I''m going to have to get some nice bling in WG or Plat., since the flute is silver plated.

Did you ever see the picture of my sax wearing my diamond bracelet on the SMTR thread?

 

[cflutist]

Date: 6/17/2005 10:47:13 AM
Author: sjz

John,

I''m thinking if I get better on the flute, I''m going to have to get some nice bling in WG or Plat., since the flute is silver plated.

sjz, that sounds like a great excuse to buy WG/Plat since all of my jewelry is YG.
Either that, or I got out and get a 14K or 18K flute like the third flutist in the orchestra has. LOL (they are over 50K).

 

[sjz]

Cflutist,

I saw the most GORGEOUS flute recently...it was silver plated with 14K yellow gold keyes. But then again, if you had one like that, there''s no excuse to buy some Plat. bling or the gold flute. Nevermind...

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 6/17/2005 10:59:49 AM
Author: cflutist

Date: 6/17/2005 10:47:13 AM
Author: sjz

John,

I''m thinking if I get better on the flute, I''m going to have to get some nice bling in WG or Plat., since the flute is silver plated.

sjz, that sounds like a great excuse to buy WG/Plat since all of my jewelry is YG.
Either that, or I got out and get a 14K or 18K flute like the third flutist in the orchestra has. LOL (they are over 50K).

...I can hear Websailor grinding his teeth from here

 

[AGBF]

Oh, God...I kept saying (to myself) that I wasn''t going to post this, but everyone else has gotten so silly that I will fit right in with the thread as it now is. (Wasn''t this about serious musicians at one point?)

I used to sing to my daughter constantly when she was a baby and a toddler. All mothers do that, right? Well, my husband has always asked me to "sing something" when we are in bed, especially if he needs to be soothed. And I always have.

Now I sometimes sing to the dog. (Poor Biscuit!) He knows when I am singing to him because I *look* at him. Sometimes I even put his name into the song. If it is a lively song he will jump up on me and paw me. (Big dog. Big paws. I have to watch out for them. When we first adopted him he caused such a bruise that I had to have a mammogram and be followed with ultasound for a w few months afterwards.)

I am feeling an irresisible urge to sing something to him now. To see what he does. I don''t recall if he has ever "bitten" me (taken my hand in his mouth) when I sing. I''ll let you know.

Deb, going off to sing to Biscuit

 

[BrightSpot]

Biscuit is a very difficult word to rhyme.