Day 4 - Batacuda!!

Today was Book Two - Battucada day!!! 

For the battucada section, everyone plays ethnic instruments from Tamborims, Surdos, Repiniques..... It's very cool to be expanding our overall knowledge of percussion and exploring different instruments and techniques. We worked on defining every move and motion of our choreography.Combining those moves with tight ensemble playing makes the show a lot more powerful!
We also practiced playing with capes covering our faces! Wow - that was a challenge!! Not so much the challenge of not being able to see the keys - but missing the body language of those around me is what threw me the most.  I had no idea my connection to my fellow players was so critical.  (I guess it really isn't all about me!?) 

Overall, it was a great, hard working day!

Day 3 - Uniform excitement

Today, we all wore our uniforms on the floor for the first time! They pose a few logistical challenges—such as two entire layers of pants, shirts, and a cloak that have to be removed in perfect time. However, they look very Brazilian, in brilliantly colorful contrast to the darker floor.

Day 2 - Hello Whitinsville

After a crazy late night of unloading food, instruments and bedding though a huge school, we manage to have an awesome rehearsal day. We honed-in on the third portion of our show. “Every detail counts,” yells our instructor from the stands. As more of our members arrived, we worked more on the Brazilian samba part of our show. We look forward to having the whole group here tomorrow. We are gaining a lot more confidence in our show, and we're looking forward to our first performance.

Day 1 - Let the Games Begin!

Day 1 - Let the Games Begin!
School vacation is upon us which gives us the opportunity to devote some single-focus time polishing the show for our first competition of the 2013 season. So for the next 8 days Northbridge Middle School will be our home away from home as we prep, polish, hone, tweak and perfect our new show. We’ll keep you updated everyday with blogs and pictures. Can’t wait to finally put it on the floor - let the games begin!!

In the Chute!

Our first show weekend (Feb. 23-24) is fast approaching and although there is still much work to be done, rehearsals have been going really well. 

Our first "tech week" of the season starts this Friday Feb. 15 and runs until our first show in Dartmouth on Feb. 23.  This is an intensive week of daily rehearsals where we prepare the group to perform! We have done our first full run-through of the show and we are now in the process of detailing the show, implementing changes, getting the costumes and props worked in and slowly taking the metronome away.  Many of these things will happen during tech week.  It's always an exciting week for us where we get to see the show really come to life, not only as the costumes and props get worked in, but also as the confidence and comfort level of the group goes up several notches. 

Snow Day

Winter Storm Nemo single-handedly shut down our Winter percussion rehearsal schedule this last weekend. On Saturday we were gearing up for a 15hr day.  One of those often dreaded, but very much needed days in which we can clean-up and solidify so many aspects of the show before we put it on the floor for the first time.  When word came out that we would have to cancel our rehearsal - I fully expected cheers from the kids. Much to the contrary - they were visibly disappointed. They are so invested in this show - that the thought of leaving it for even a weekend was upsetting. That was inspiring to me.

Evelyn Glennie

Many years ago I had the privilege of attending a master class with the amazing percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Her journey (deaf since the age of 12) is amazing in and of itself. Being in the same room, her charisma is palpable. She is a delight to watch and listen to.  However, the piece that has stuck with me over the years is this. She asked the class "What is the most important piece of information on a piece of music?"  Eager hands shot into the air "Tempo!.... Key Signature!... Dynamics!!...."
Her answer - "The Title".
She felt that the name a composer chooses colors and informs us on so many levels. It provides a lens through which to interpret the road map he has provided in the score.
It's such a great concept - that can bring a fresh sound.