Other things that matter to me will inevitably creep in: my wife (God bless her), my family & friends, my faith, cigars, craft beers, teaching folks to play the pipes, boutique wines, cooking - especially BBQ, single malts, my work and other experiences at UC Riverside...the list is as endless as my interests. I will do my best to primarily reflect on the Band and try only to touch on other subjects as we experience them from the perspective of the Band.
As the P/M leading a Champion Band made up of multiple award-winning competitive units (grades 3 - 5), red hot soloists (grade 1 - 5), and a Board of Directors who provide governance for the Band, the ability to herd cats seems to the only thing I get to practice these days. We have grown and are still growing in membership and community support. Lots of cats.
Our programming includes paid performances and concerts,
competition at highland games (video of the 2011 Costa Mesa grade 4 QMM - 1st place),
supplying soloists and mini-bands for a variety of events,
and hosting the Harry Moore Memorial solo piping and drumming competition each Spring.
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The frequency of my posts will be dependent on having something to say and the time to say it. I encourage all Band members to check in every once in a while to see if the P/M has addressed anything of interest to them. Band supporters might also find this a way of keeping in touch with the Band; enjoying some insight to the inner workings of a pipe band.
This is just an introduction. Let's see what else there is to chat about.
Enjoy!
Mike
Thanks for this! Communication is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThe Band has certainly grown. And with that, it has expanded it's horizons. UCR Pipe Band has recently fielded 20 pipes and 17 drums. There was a time, however that we could only field three pipes and three drums. Many people have been involved assisting in this growth of both quantity and quality. The Band has grown in quantity primarily through home-grown efforts. Mike Terry, Harry Moore and William Terry have brought many beginning students up to competitive levels through their dedication and hard work. There are others, too who have brought up pipers and drummers into the Band. And, to the credit of the instructors and the students, we now field three competitive units. Our combined successes have even drawn other musicians from outside to our bands. It's fun to be in a group that wins.
ReplyDeleteThere does seem to be a dark cloud within the silver lining. This specter is complacency. Complacency is using the excuse that someone else will "cover" for me, or that "I can do (or learn) that later. When the Band has an engagement or a rehearsal, each member should make all efforts to attend. When the Band has new music the same drive should exist. Complacency seems to have crept into our groups, and it can kill us. Each member has made the effort to achieve where we are today, relaxing and depending on someone else can only create a domino effect. Let's keep up the good work and keep this organization climbing.