Registrations are coming in every day and the start of the summer workshop season is IMMINENT! Staff is in place; IMPACT TEAM is in place; there’s a buzz on the internet about everything and frankly….
See you all soon!
(–heidi)
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It is that time of year–the buzz is starting to grow; show music and themes are taking shape; concepts are being developed; travel schedules are filling up. And now it is time to pick the leadership team for the next marching band season!
From the student’s perspective it is simple: ”I want to do THAT!” The student wants to be the one who wears the different color uniform; the one who marches out in front of the band, leading them onto the field or down the street; the one gets to salute the chief judge, salute the audience and take that final bow at the end of the show. Oh the thrill of it all!!!
For the director it is not so simple. The director is looking for one or more students who have the capacity to understand the magnitude of responsibility that comes with being a Drum Major. It is NOT about the accolades–it is about the work that must get done behind the scenes. It is about going the extra mile, staying late, showing up early, and even picking up the trash left behind on the rehearsal field by band members. It is about helping with the pit equipment, making sure all the horn angles are correct, assisting that freshmen (or senior) who is struggles to stay in step and being POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE and ENCOURAGING in approach. The director is looking for someone or puts the band’s needs before their own.
To borrow a phrase used by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, a dear friend of the Drum Major Academy®–”It’s not way you CAN do or WILL do, it’s what you DO DO!”
Are YOU up to the task of what it takes to be a GREAT drum major?
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Tagged attitude, commitment, dedication, discipline, drum major, leadership, marching band, teamwork
The DMA IMPACT TEAM has been around for over 20 years. It was created as an opportunity for high school graduates and college students to continue their growth as leaders, and to spend extra time working “behind the scenes” with the DMA Professional Staff, thus providing each Team member with an opportunity to learn more about “the why” of it all. Many IMPACT TEAM members have gone on to become part of the Professional Staff–this is never a guarantee, meaning a person does not simply “move up the ladder” to a staff position because they were members of the IMPACT TEAM–but some staff members can be traced back to their days as an IMPACT within the company.
When this program was conceived…..on a chairlift one January at Killington Ski Resort in Vermont (some DMA trivia for all of you)….George Parks set it up as a trial situation for the DMA @ UMASS. Over time he expanded it to some of the other locations–never really sure it would take off but always hoping there would be interest.
There is no doubt in my mind that if he were here today he would be ecstatic to know we have over NINETY (90) applicants for the IMPACT TEAM PROGRAM! Creating TEAMS at EVERY location is now not only possible but is even challenging because there are so many wonderfully qualified applicants!
If this is any indication of the future, there are GREAT things in store for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy®!
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Tagged dma, drum major, drum major academy, george-parks, george_n_parks, impact_team, leadership, music education, teaching, volunteers
Originally from Burke, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., Lauren Heller is in her third and final year of a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting, cognate in flute performance, at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. At CCM Lauren serves as an administrator and graduate assistant in the Wind Studies department, teaches introductory and intermediate conducting courses, and is a regular conductor with the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Players, and Chamber Winds. She is also the conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble, an auditioned year-round honor group comprised of the best young wind players and percussionists in the Cincinnati/Northern-Kentucky area.
Prior to her time in Cincinnati, Lauren earned a Bachelor of Music degree in instrumental music education, magna cum laude, and a Master of Music degree in wind conducting from the University of Delaware. While at Delaware, Lauren conducted the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as the flute choir, chamber ensembles, and student composition premieres. She also served as graduate assistant to the 300+ member Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band. As an undergraduate student she served as drum major of the UDMB for 3 years.
Upon leaving Delaware, Lauren taught public high school for three years in southern Maryland. There she was responsible for two large concert ensembles, the jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, marching band, pep band, and pit orchestra. She also served as guest conductor for both the middle and high school honor bands in the area.
In addition to her musical life, Lauren enjoys cycling (in the warm months!). She and her extended family have been participating in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, the country’s largest single-event athletic fundraiser that raises funds for cancer research, for over 15 years.
Lauren is has been on staff with the Drum Major Academy® since 2000. She is the lead clinician at our University of California / Riverside location and staff manager at our UMASS location – we anticipate and are excited about her undertaking these roles at additional locations in 2012.
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Originally from central New Jersey, Justin McAdams is currently the band director and music department chair at Daniel Boone High School in eastern Pennsylvania. His program now includes a competitive marching band, two concert bands, a jazz band, winter guard, and winter percussion ensemble. The Marching Blazers are a two-time Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Champion (2005 and 2009), and all of the performing groups have been consistently recognized for their musical abilities, repertoire, and innovative approach to design.
Aside from his own program, Justin is also a visual designer and consultant to many programs in the area, having designed award-winning shows in each of the three major competitive marching circuits that exist in the Mid-Atlantic area. He is also a major supporter of using technology in classrooms to help overall student achievement. Justin is a graduate of the University of Delaware and is currently finishing a graduate degree in wind conducting at West Chester University. He is also a former drum major for the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps. In his free time, he enjoys reading, cycling, golf, and spending time with his wife Sarah.
Justin has been on staff with the Drum Major Academy® since 2000. He is the lead clinician at our Ohio Wesleyan University location and staff manager at our Kutztown University and West Chester University locations.
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Happy 2012 everyone!
As we head toward the summer season we will be taking a moment every week or so to highlight each of the Lead Clinicians for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy®. Each of these people are professional music educators with years of experience as either high school or college band directors, as well as years of commitment and dedication to DMA. As a group they are the best the country has to offer and we are proud to have them as part of the Academy.
So come back often and meet the people who are continuing the vision and mission George N. Parks created.
As the marching band world races through the fall season there is also a buzz around the DMA Office. The summer of 2012 will be here before we know it and plans are well underway for what looks like another fantastic year!
Here are two of the upcoming items of interest:
Stop back often to see what else we have in store for you in 2012. Meanwhile all of us here at DMA wish you continued success this year!
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