McM Band NewsAugust 2002

Volume 1, Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE:• Season schedule

• Changes inmarching band

• Symphony Bandto perform atCivic Center

• Band Tour Dates

• Changes atMcMurry

• Band Web site

• Abilene Flood

Scott L. Taube, Director of Bands • McMurry UniversityBynum Band Hall, Box 575 • Abilene, TX 79697 • 915-793-3837 • taubes@mcmurryadm.mcm.edu

It is an Apple Titanium Powerbook G4/667mhz with lots of cool newsoftware. I thought what better way to introduce it to you than by aNewsletter. This newsletter has been a long time coming and an ideathat came from band member’s suggestions. I hope this will become aquick way for us to communicate with each other, the McMurrycommunity, and alumni. There are many ways to use this newsletter;ones I hope we can all contribute to. For now, let this inaugural issue beinformation preparing you for the 2002-2003 season.

Yes…I have a new computer

Marching Band begins August 25th

GREETINGS to ALL! I trust thisnewsletter reaches you in goodhealth and rested minds after asummer break (for some). Aspecial welcome is extended to ourNEW band members. Youcomprise one of the largestfreshman classes in recentMcMurry history. Presently, thereare a promised 20 new members.Yes, if you do the math veterans,we could be OVER 50 for the fall2002. Everyone did a terrific jobrecruiting this year. I appreciatethe office staff’s many hours ofletter sending and, particularly,those who just put out the goodword about our band. Ourinstrumentation is getting full butyou can always encourage someoneto join…especially trombone thisyear.

As you will see in this newsletter,the home football schedule isdifferent than recent years. Allof our games are back to back to

back to…get the idea? While thiswill allow ease into the marchingaspects, it provides a challenge toprepare enough music for theentire season during the month ofSeptember. In addition, ourseason is one week longer and doesnot end at HSU. PLEASE CHECKTHE SCHEDULE CLOSELY.

Consider a regimented practiceschedule with your instrument. Youare all good musicians. I need yourhelp to get the correct sounds forour band. A daily practiceschedule will prepare you for thosefirst rehearsals, chair placementaudition, and build endurance.

Please take note of all of theinformation on this and thefollowing pages. I am reallyexcited about the prospects forthe coming year. Let us all comeback to Abilene with a freshenthusiasm and an open heart toshare great music together.

NEW BAND WEB SITE • TAKE A LOOKwww.mcm.edu/~taubes

Sunset Concert-RadfordAuditorium in background

McM Band News / Volume 1, Issue 1 / Page 2 of 4

ATTENTIONPERCUSSION

YOU HAVEADDITIONAL

MATERIAL IN YOURPACKET FROMPERCUSSION

INSTRUCTOR DR.JOHNSON. If you are

a percussionist formarching band and did

not receive information,please contact

johnsont@mcmurryadm.mcm.edu

or 915-793-3833

The next few items are difficult to discuss. There are different opinions on eachof these subjects. All are worthwhile and warrant value in a marching band. The bestdecision for the all does not necessarily equal the individual need, or want. Therefore, Ihave decided to omit the position of drum major and a color guard unit. Please allow meto explain each item.

The drum major position with our band has not existed the past two seasons.With our style of marching band, it has not been warranted. As students recognize ourbands marching aspects, they realize what is best for our band. Our music and drill getlearned so quickly that a drum major role had not been necessary or, frankly, worthwhilefor the individual chosen. This opens up an avenue for our band. This fall I am initiating astudent assistant program for upper-level marching band students wanting to work with amarching band…sort of a hands-on Marching Band Techniques class. This program is opento ANY marching band member with two years or more experience with the McM Bandand must meet the approval of the Director of Bands…ME! For this fall, we have threestudents already on board for this program. If anyone is interested, please contact me viaemail for complete details.

The last issue, a color guard, has been a continuous concern. I have mixedemotions about this topic. I would like to provide an avenue for those wishing to pursueguard past their high school experience. In the past five years, the most trying out forguard is five; some years only two. It was agreed that the small size would not give ampleopportunity for a guard to be a viable unit. Also, I am not certain whether ample supplieswould be available for a guard unit to be productive.

How do we solve this? I could really use your help. Some of you have alreadytried and I appreciate it. This fall, we have had ZERO new interest in guard. Therefore, atleast for now, we will not field a color guard unit.

Changes in Marching Band

Tentative Season Schedule

[l-r] Tiffany Brubakerand Jason Brayat Homecoming

Sunday, August 25th

2pm Organizational Meeting–ALL ATTEND–at Band Hall215pm Chair Placement Auditions – Scales and Sight Reading

Percussion with Dr. Johnson4-6pm Inside Rehearsal6pm Pizza and Pop

FALL SEMESTERAUGUST

29 930a Music Major/MinorSEPTEMBER

14 9a Abilene Rodeo ParadeOCTOBER5 12n Pep Rally for Parents

2p Home Game19 2p Home Game31 5p Sunset ConcertNOVEMBER1 10p Bon Fire Pep Rally2 930a Reh with Alumni Band

2p Home Game9 2p Travel to HSU Game16 10a TMEA Workshop

2p Home Game

DECEMBER

8 4p Christmas Concertwith Chanters

SPRING SEMESTERFEBRUARY

7 730p Symphony Band Concert19-23 BAND TOUR

• Going WestAPRIL

4 730p Symphony Band Concertat Civic Center

11 730p Symphony Band Concertalternate booking date

MAY2 730p Collage Concert

at Paramount Theatre

McM Band News / Volume 1 Issue 1 / Page 3 of 4

We are still above water. The rain in July was very healthy forthe Abilene area. There is lots of green on the ground and in thetrees. Some people on the north side of Abilene did get flooddamage as well as those in Tuscola and Buffalo Gap. However,people seem to be getting help from the city and area churches.Nothing at McMurry sustained serious flood damage.

……there are even new plants (alive) in front of the band hall…shhhhh

July Flood in Abilene

PLEASE FILL OUT

THE LAST PAGE

AND MAIL or FAX

or EMAIL THE

INFORMATION

TODAY!

Important Band Information

MARCHING UNIFORMS – Our uniform for marching band is Band Shirts, Khaki pants, white socks andwhite tennis shoes. There will be an order placed the first week of band for Band Shirts with a costnot to exceed $20 (collected once you arrive). The Band Shirts are maroon with khaki logo in a piquépolo-style with soft collar. For returning members, the design for this year will be identical to lastyear. These items are required.

SYMPHONY BAND UNIFORMS – Each student must acquire the appropriate performance attire (formal):Ladies: floor-length black formal dress with black dress shoes (black blouse and black slacks

are acceptable, but not desirable)Gentlemen: Full black tuxedo (or black suit) with black dress shoes, black socks, white dress

shirt (formal style), and black formal bow tie

MARCHING INSTRUMENTS – McMurry Marching Band will supply the necessary large instruments.Smaller instruments may also be available for checkout. We march Piccolo/Flute (piccolo is preferred),Bb Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bb Trumpet/Cornet, F/Bb Horn, Trombone (slide),Baritone, Sousaphone, and Percussion. It is important that you contact the Band Office as soon aspossible to assure the availability of a McMurry Band instrument.

SYMPHONY BAND – Following the marching band season, all members will become a part of theSymphony Band that will perform concerts in November and December. Rehearsals will be duringregular band rehearsal time. The Symphony Band continues to perform concerts throughout the springsemester. The spring semester commonly brings guest conductors and composers to campus to enhanceour musical experience. Also featured is the annual Collage Concert and a five day band tour.

DAILY SCHEDULE – Regular rehearsals begin on the first day ofclasses, Monday, August 26. The customary weekly schedule willbe: daily, Monday through Friday, 12:00–12:55 pm at Bynum BandHall OR the Stadium.

REQUIREMENTS – We require band members to have previoushigh school or college marching band experience. Participation atall performances and rehearsals is required. There should be noconflicts with the season schedule. In addition, all marching bandmembers MUST register for the class. Marching Band is onecredit hour. Please refer to the Bulletin of McMurry Universityfor the Fall Semester 2002 for correct course numbers. We canassist you with registering for band once you arrive on campus.

Changes at McM

MORE Information for Y’all

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.mcm.edu/~taubes

Dr. John Russell New President-replaces Dr. Robert ShimpDr. Beverly Lenoir Acting VP Academic Affairs (promoted from faculty)

replaces Dr. Paul LackJames Pearce VP Institutional Development - replaces Dr. Skip DotherowEldon Renfro Facility Services Director - replaces Greg Esman

Dr. Josenhans Married Barbara...well, she acceptedDr. Eaves and Mrs. IT’S A GIRL!Ann Margaret Mills Married Jamie at the Paramount Theatre

Chris Andrews will NOT be in band...but his sister Emily will carry on the family tradition

1. Examine the band rehearsal schedule paying special attention to the reporting times.2. The season schedule should be put on your calendar NOW so that no conflicts will occur.3. Be in good physical shape by August 25. West Texas climate can be HOT and HUMID.

We rehearse outside throughout the marching season. We strongly recommend that youbring your own water to each rehearsal---inside and outside. "No Sweat…No Pride."

4. A daily practice routine should begin TODAY. Music is the most important aspect of ourband.

5. Large cup mouthpieces are strongly recommended for the brass instruments to create anopen sound. Small "cheater" mouthpieces are not desired because of obvious tone andintonation problems.

6. Woodwind players are encouraged to have an ample supply of new reeds. You never knowwhen one might break. Heavier reeds are desired.

7. WIND AUDITIONS – Everyone with previous high school or college marching bandexperience has a position with the McMurry Marching Band. Part placement auditions forall wind instrument players will involve sight-reading and two scales (two octaves whereappropriate). Wind players may choose to prepare a solo/etude on the instrument youdesire to play in band.

8. PERCUSSION - The percussion section will also hold its placement auditions (for theparticular instruments of the section) under the guidance of our percussion instructorDr. Todd Johnson. Music and information should be included with this newsletter.

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM AND MAIL or FAX or EMAIL THE INFORMATION TODAY!

YES! I INTEND TO BE A PART OF THE McMURRY UNIVERSITY BAND THIS FALL

NAME

MARCHING INSTRUMENT

r Do You Need a McM Instrument? • Any Special Needs?

HOME PHONE

EMAIL

BAND SHIRT SIZE rS rM rL rXL rXXL

McM Band News / Volume 1 Issue 1 / Page 4 of 4

Megan Merrellin the stands

Symphony Bandwill perform

Johan DeMeij’s“THE LORD

OF THE RINGS”at the

Civic Center inApril 2003