April Camp Review

By: Dallas Burgess – Program Coordinator

It is amazing at how fast time really does fly. People say it all the time, but when you really stop and think about it, in our little corner of the world, in the drum corps activity, time really does fly. From camp to camp and everything in between, the off-season really isn’t “off” at all. It’s just not the meat and potatoes, so to speak. The camps and administrative work that goes on before the summer are the preparation and ingredients.

In our Caption Head and Design meetings, we had set the goal to get as much learned on the field as we could since we would have everyone at this camp. We wanted to see what the members were capable of. And boy, did they surpass expectations.

Friday night was the typical registration and sectionals while the El Paso team was on the road traveling to camp. After sectional rehearsal, the corps bedded down for the evening to get rest before a long drum corps Saturday.

Saturday was the busiest day of the season thus far and started in the 0600 hour. Elizabeth Galloway let the mornings tabata PT session to get the day started in my absence since I am overseas. After breakfast, each section had a brief period of sectionals to get warmed up before starting into the opener drill. Members came prepared with drill sheets and dot books in hand hungry to get “Crossroads” on the field. Once our drill learning system got into its flow, it was game on. Before lunch, 24 charts were on the field. During the lunch break, members were fitted for their “Viper” marching shoes, our selected brand for 2012. Then it was right back to the opener.

At 1p.m., The Board members and Admin Team that were present, and me via speaker phone and Skype attended the beginning of the DCI review meeting with Dan Acheson. Many things were discussed about the now and the future of Forte. The meeting went very well and resulted in more tools for the success of Forte as a whole. After the meeting, Dan had an opportunity to get out to the field for some good ‘ole fashion drum corps. The corps continued on and by the end of the drill learning portion, completed 48 charts of drill. Not only that, but this drill was coordinated to music. This has set the tone for May camp. Granted, April being what it is, there is a great deal of cleaning to do and that goes without saying. In the evening, members got measured for uniforms as is typical for an April camp. Hillot Rogers, a trumpet player, posted a picture on the Forte Brass Facebook page that made me smile. It was a whole bunch of bodies in the gym racked out on the floor before lights out. Welcome to drum corps! If only those of us long aged out could do that again, but I digress……

Sunday saw a recap of everything and more ensemble time with the day ending at noon and the housing and rehearsal facilities cleaned by 1. May and Everydays will see the recap of part 1 and the learning of part 2 while giving even more attention to fundamentals both visually and musically. Now we can see what Forte is capable of and what we will be able to accomplish. The work ethic of these kids is incredible. They don’t question why. They don’t give up, even when they’re tired and sore. They just keep pushing for more with an “Is that all you got?”  attitude. This is the way it should be. They are what this activity is all about. Education, experience and development. These kids are why we do this.

The Forte Family is strong. It is not just a saying. It’s an ideology. It’s a living, breathing, tangible idea that you can literally see in action. Our Family is strong. We are going to have a great season!

Semper Porro!

Pain and Suffering: The Basics Block

By: Dallas Burgess – Program Coordinator

The basics block. Every veteran, past and present, of the drum corps activity shutters at those words. Memories, or nightmares, immediately come to mind of uncontrollable shaking, sweating, heavy breathing, 100+ degree temperatures and just raw pain. “Is this ever going to end?” you ask yourself knowing that it will, but fearful that it might not.  ”What is the point of all this?” ; the next question. “Why the Hell am I here?”; the final question. Then the unbelievable happens. It ends. You stand their for a moment unable to immediately start the water break you’ve just been given as you shake it out and try to regain feeling in your muscles. Now the visual cleaning block begins, and suddenly, that horrific torture device called basics is forgotten about.

The day goes by as does that days rehearsal. Now it’s time for show prep. Then the arrival at the show site. You see stadium lights from the bus window as you get close. Then it happens. That slight tingle that changes your posture in your seat. It’s time to get the mind right. As the buses park you see the fans arriving and entering the stadium. They see you. As you disembark the all to familiar, and oddly comforting, smell of diesel drifts past your nose. Not much, if anything, is said. Equipment is gathered and sections go their separate ways. First begins a little visual refresher. Still, the mornings beating is fresh on the body but forgotten in the mind. There is only one emotion emitted from the block; focus. All of the sounds of other corps warming up, batteries hammering 8′s and color guards clapping, disappear. Its’ only you and your brothers and sisters. That’s it. Visual block ends, but the focus does not. Next; music. Hand and arm signals cue the arc. Subtle reminders of the days rehearsal are given, then ran through one last time. Now it’s time to suit up. The lens’s focus narrows. The walk to the stadium gates. The sound of the corps on the field reaching the end of their performance. The first peak of the night’s crowd. The sections once again joined together. Head gear goes on. The gate opens. The next 11-12 minutes are a blur but what was felt cannot be described. Then after the last release, with the crowd on their feet, you are once again reminded why the Hell you are here.

What starts in what is seen as a pointless block of pain and suffering is a mindset. I only started to realize it then. Now, looking back on the hundreds of basics blocks I’ve survived I understand why I was made to feel like complete mush. Basics block is designed to teach, learn and then practice the very fundamentals of marching. It teaches and reinforces the smallest detail of technique and style. And at certain points along the season, it becomes a physical beast meant to increase your tolerance and endurance. What is not necessarily taught, only in the literal since of the term, during basics is the mindset. Members, including this vet, often asked what the point of the “beatings” were. Little did we know that those questions would be answered through out the course of the rest of our lives.

You hear the sayings, ‘no pain, no gain’ and ‘mind over matter’. Basics block is a living, breathing example of those statements. When the block is pushed to the extreme and seemingly the impossible, the survival instinct kicks in. This is where the unspoken training of the mind begins. You will not quit because you cannot allow yourself to let those around you down. Then you reach the point where you can’t let yourself down. This is where you learn to push through to the end knowing you’ll come out of it stronger and better. What is realized is a sense of individual achievement that changes ones attitude completely. That feeling cannot be taken away. You then start to crave that feeling. You then start to attack every challenge head on with a new found confidence that guides your hunger for success. You start to embrace challenge and adversity and wield it as a tool of motivation. Without realizing it, you start to approach your life in this manner. It becomes second nature.

Who ever thought that a basics block could do all of that? In a way, basics block is more than the fundamentals of marching and can be looked at as the fundamentals of approaching life.  This is just one example of many that shows the way drum corps develops young people into leaders in all aspects of life beyond their summers of marching. Staff sees it in members, parents see it in their kids and the world sees it in every action.

I challenge every veteran, new member and staff that will be on the road this summer to stop and reflect on this and think about how it can and will benefit the people in your lives. And remember, no matter how bad basics seems, there is a reason for your suffering!

March Camp Review

By: Dallas Burgess – Program Coordinator

I continue to be amazed. I know everyone says that about their respective corps after a camp or after a summer season. This is different. Andy Brady, our Visual Caption Head and Drill Writer made a comment that we “have a new corps every month”. Of course, not in the sense that we have different people every month, but rather, the level of performance and commitment is so much higher from month to month that it seems like a different group of people. It is impressive to see members pushing themselves to a level such as they did at only the third training camp of the off-season. The momentum continues to grow as we move into our last two off-season months before our June move-ins.

After working through a slight housing glitch, and actually improved our situation, March camp was off and running at full steam. We started out in sectionals on Friday night. The brass broke down into sub-sectionals, the percussion learned how to read the grid (the field) and the color guard held sectionals.

Saturday was a day of beautiful weather, bright sun, heavy intake of H2O and application of sun screen. We started the morning off early at 6:00 a.m. This was the first month for full corps P.T. The Corps experienced the last part of the daily tabada that is the last 10 1/2 minutes of the P.T. they will do over the summer. After breakfast, the brass moved into sub-sectionals outside in the parking lot. The percussion also started in on sectionals. The real fun began after lunch as the brass moved to the artificial turf field for visual rehearsal. They moved through all of the exercises and worked incredibly hard. We made a decision to cut an hour early since they had accomplished everything we had intended and then some. They were able to watch the percussion finish out their rehearsal and gain a little perspective on what else is going on in the corps. The color guard continued to work on technique and even started delving into some show material. After dinner, the brass and percussion moved to the field for ensemble. The opener was broken into sections with the percussion playing first while the horn line blew air and on the second rep, everyone in. The Corps made it through several reps of the opener. The benefit to this was that everyone was able to get a real assessment being outside the whole time. At the end of the evening, the corps had ample time to get some much-needed R&R.

Meanwhile, in El Paso, our satellite brothers and sisters started a 12 hour rehearsal day with a little P.T. and moved into sectionals and visual rehearsal. During the visual block in Denton, I called Amanda Hernandez, who runs the camps in El Paso and had the Denton club say hi to the El Paso club and vice-versa. I wanted the members to know that each site was looking forward to the mass meeting that is going to take place in April when the entire corps is together. El Paso was also outside all day taking advantage of a real drum corps day.

The surprising thing about Sunday was the fact that given a short block of rehearsal, the Corps was able to achieve parts of the beginning of the show quicker than anticipated. The percussion learned the first 30 seconds of opener drill to music while Alicia Conrad taught the brass the intro body work. Both sections had an opportunity to perform what they learned in front of each other and the crowd of volunteers, administrative staff and friends and family that sat in the bleachers that were also treated to an hour of ensemble to end the camp.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers and support personnel that made everything behind the scenes possible. Without them, this thing we call drum corps would be a heck of a lot harder.

I will finish this recap with a little teaser. This weekend was also witness to meetings that decided a great deal of things for the immediate and long-term future of Forte and OYAA. We are all extremely excited about what is in development. Everyone new and upcoming will be released at the appropriate times. Just know that there are a great many things coming from Forte. We are truly embracing the spirit of Semper Porro!

February Camp Review

By: Dallas Burgess – Program Coordinator

The winter “off”-season is in full swing and is going by faster than anyone can imagine. This was the first camp that I was able to attend due to my overseas responsibilities, so you can imagine my excitement. The weekend was full of emotion as I had reunions with fellow staff that I had not seen in 10, 13 and 16 years! I was blown away by the level of intensity and work ethic of the members and see the hunger in their eyes as they learn and develop.

To start, I would like to recognize and thank Brian Wilson and Manny Guerrero for providing us amazing facilities at both Denton High School and Calhoun Middle School respectively. We could not ask for a better housing and training site. We look forward to building on that relationship.

Friday night usually sees the trickling of people due to travel issues. Even so, things kicked off right at 8 p.m. with sectionals. Rick Street got the horn line started with more focus on our brass curriculum. What was pleasant to see was the cross-caption involvement with every Visual Team staff member at music rehearsal making sure that the attention to detail never gets forgotten about. Michael and the Percussion Team got started with sectionals and were able to finalize the battery with the last round of auditions. Color Guard newcomers John Cedergren and Elizabeth Galloway started the beginning of a full camp with the Color Guard.

Saturday saw the introduction of the Physical Training program to staff members for implementation to members in March. Through out the day, staff members were pulled and taken through each exercise and then through a complete tabada workout performing those exercises back to back and twice through. I can tell you that I believe I am still being cursed today for that. The PT program is a practical necessity for the members to be able to safely perform what is being asked of them this summer. Both musical sections worked hard on the opener and got a great deal accomplished. Color Guard focused on movement and technique and at the end of the day, the horn line started moving and playing. Another example of cross-captioning where Jason Nitsch had the brass doing arc exercises while moving to Andy Brady’s visual book.

Sunday was a short block but a bit more like a tour rehearsal day. The morning started with visual and moved into a musical warm up. The Horn Line then moved from the middle school to the high school in pairs (pre-show prep in February) and we began ensemble with brass and percussion on the opener. The staff treated this ensemble time as if we were on the field in the middle of tour. Proper etiquette was followed and field dialogue was used.

Looking ahead, the battery will start learning opener drill and the entire corps will start the P.T. program and, weather permitting, we’ll be outside for it all. The El Paso training camp will be extended by a day to better prepare the members there for the joining of everyone in April camp in which we will begin learning drill, to include marching and playing segments of the opener.

I can tell you that I am extremely proud of the professionalism of the corps from top to bottom. The volunteers were amazing and took great care of the corps over the weekend, the staff taught like we had been together for years and the members responded with the desire and hunger for more. We are truly moving forward. Semper Porro!

January Camp Recap

By: Dallas Burgess – Program Coordinator

This recap is long over due. Things have been extremely busy at the “office” these past few weeks. A new website is being constructed and things are moving faster than every before. Here is a brief recap of our January Training Camp.

Due to a scheduling conflict with JJ Pearce High School, we had to find a different housing site. With the year kicking off with musicals and plays, finding a new site proved to be difficult. In the final hour, about a week before camp, Calhoun Middle School came through and ended being better than we expected. Located in Denton, TX, the site proved to be a perfect situation. So much that we have decided to make Calhoun and Denton High our winter home the rest of this off-season.

Though the weather was unseasonably warm, the corps did not go outside. After everyone checked in on Friday night, percussion moved right into the second round of auditions while the brass section started learning the curriculum and technique book. The long Saturday continued the selection process for percussion as the brass section started the day focused on movement during the long visual block. During the music block, brass delved into the intro to the show, “Crossroads”. The corps bedded down after a long and intense day.

Sunday saw the first of the color guard. In an effort to give students that are not involved in winter ensembles a chance to develop before our full corps April camp, we decided to hold a 5 hour block of instruction for those that could and wanted to attend. Turn out was so good, we will most likely be holding full camps for those not in winter groups to maximize the training they can receive. The rest of the corps experienced a normal rehearsal day and started with visual, moved to music and finished the day with ensemble. The corps ended on a good note being able to play together for the first time.

Meanwhile, in El Paso, we held a one day camp for brass players further west. Led by Sergio Beraun, Amanda Hernandez and Brad Neeley, the small ensemble of brass players learned a condensed version of what the rest of corps learned a few hundred miles away. A great turn out allowed for a positive learning experience that should see Forte’s presence further west increase.

Ladies and Gentlemen, there are going to be great things coming out of Dallas, TX. If you want to be apart of this exciting journey, it is not to late. Whether or not you want to  audition to march or volunteer, we have a place for you at Forte. Do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to you joining the Forte Family.

Great job Forte!! February is going to be that much better.

Martin Luther King Jr.

By: Dallas Burgess – Program Coordinator

We all know that yesterday is considered a federal holiday to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Some schools take the day off, others don’t. All government related organizations also take the day off. When I was in the Army, I looked forward to having  much-needed extra day to rest followed by a short work week. This is how a majority of Americans view MLK Day. Have we really actually stopped to think about the man himself? What he did? What he represented? What he stood for? Unfortunately, and I am just as guilty of this, we do not. Sure we know him as a leader and civil rights activist and we all have heard “I have a dream”. That’s where it usually stops.

How does this relate to drum corps? How does this relate for Forte? No one really knows what to expect their first year marching in a corps. Of the many things that I have learned in this activity one attribute and valuable life lesson has defined my outlook on humanity as a whole. Taking a step back, I see the drum corps activity somewhat of a Utopian society. It is one of very few places where the individual can be who they are and be accepted for just that. One of a few places where the individual is immersed in a society where they are around the same group of people for literally 24/7  for 3 months. The blending of personalities both type A and B, cultures, quirks and backgrounds could set the stage for disaster. Instead the opposite happens. All through one common goal, all of that individuality becomes one.

Ok. What does that have to do with MLK? Martin Luther King made it his life goal to make the world a better place. He represented equality. He represented acceptance. He represented what the drum corps activity makes happen everyday. Drum corps is more than getting from point A to point B. It’s more than kicking out the 3rd valve tuning slide. It’s more than stick heights and counting weapon rotations. We don’t even realize that it’s happening. We don’t see the differences in each other when standing on the field. We see a brother and a sister. We see a team-mate. We see our extended family. When we return home, something inside of us has changed the way we look at the rest of the world. We now know what successes can result when we truly come together and truly accept someone for who they are without thought. This is what makes us different. This is what brings us together.

“All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.”

We experience this everyday in our lives. What we accomplish in drum corps teaches us how to navigate those problems.

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

In the beginning, we’re all individuals. Once that wall is broken down and we realize how our individual role plays a part for the collective whole, we then see the true essence of team work. This then becomes the fabric of who we are and how we approach the rest of our lives.

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

What we do requires sacrifice. It requires hard work and suffering and often times struggle. But through this all, we come out stronger, wiser and better than we ever imagined. If it were easy, everyone would do it. That is what separates drum corps from many other organizations. The level of dedication and determination required to accomplish what we desire, even in the beginning, is extreme. This sets you up for success in the real world. Failure is not an option. You’ve felt the reward that resulted in the hard work and dedication. Nothing was given to you.

These quotes are only a few of many inspiring words spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. He made the world a better place. Take advantage of the opportunities you are presented with to do the same. Take the life lessons and tools the drum corps activity gives you and do the same. Be apart of the bigger picture. Make sacrifices. Take chances. Accept people for who they are. Believe in something. Embrace your bothers and sisters differences for it defines them. Let us all come together and do our part to make a difference.

It is so much more than what we do on the field.

Semper Porro!

Color Guard

Happy Monday Forte Family! I’m sure, everyone is back in school or back to the daily grind following New Years. Getting back to learning about our staff, this week we hear a little from our Color Guard Caption Heads Dan Suniga and Justin Andersen. Semper Porro!

By: Dan Suniga – Co-Color Guard Caption Head

My name is Dan Suniga and I am currently in my fifth year of teaching as a Texas Music Educator. I am the assistant band director and guard director at JJ Pearce high school in Richardson, Texas. My color and winter guards have always been very competitive and have competed at the WGI World Championships. My goal for this season with Forte is obviously to be competitive but more importantly to make sure the guard members have a positive and educational experience through the drum corps activity. I look forward to seeing and meeting the Forte guard members through the next few months leading up to our exciting debut of the 2012 production.

By Justin Andersen – Co-Color Guard Caption Head

Hey guys! My name is Justin Andersen and I am the Co-Caption Head here at Forte. Dan and I are excited to be here working with all of you. We have some exciting ideas and an exciting summer planned and I hope that you will make sure that you are a part of it.

Charles F. Kettering said:

“Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.”

This is what happened to me. I stumbled across color guard while in jr. High. It was not something that I was expecting to participate in and now, I cannot imagine my life without it. You are all in that position right now. You are about to stumble upon one of the most rewarding and exciting experience of your life. Be excited! Do not sit on the sidelines and let this pass you by. You are the only one stopping yourself. I hope that those of you who have auditioned are ready for a great summer and a great deal of hard work. Those of you who are still on the fence; get down and run with us and you might just stumble upon an experience that will change your life forever.

Semper Porro!