Drums Major Seminar on the West Coast

[cipar]

I'm wondering if there is enough interest for a Drums Major (proper term) week-end seminar, on the west coast. I'm thinking in the Vancouver area, that way the Seattle area is within driving distance. The time frame would be Friday evening, (7 PM to 10 PM) all day Sat (9 AM till about 7 PM)and Sunday (9 AM till about 3/4 PM)
The next question is who do you invite as the lead instructor?, and how many students should it be capped at? I was thinking 18 total, giving 3 flights of 6, making it easier for each Drum Major to be watched by the instructor(s).
Norm MacKenzie from Toronto comes to mind but I've not been able to make contact with him. He has instructed at the Calgary seminar in the past.
Then it comes down to how much is some one/band be prepared to pay?
I would like to see a video tape provided to each person attending , but again this adds to the costs.
Bottom line, is there any interest out there for this kind of seminar. I know of four people, and that includes me, but are there any one else? AND
who should be looked at to instruct?
I look forward to hearing from both attendees and possible instructors, because we need both to make this idea work.

Thanks Chuck GLOVER
Maple Ridge B.C.

[Johan M. Skuggeld]

Count me in Chuck! :thumb: I'm a very new drum major of a very new band - Port Orchard Police Pipe Band. I've been looking around for the proper drum major instruction - there is hardly anything out there. Sure, I got the drum majors handbook, written by E. Burgess, a good enough instruction book - but some moves and flourishings just needs to be seen, and taught by some one experienced. I also been searching for some kind of an instruction video, but have come up empty handed.

I don't know who would be the best to instruct such a get-together however, as I said, I am pretty new in all of this. Best of luck on this project - I will follow it closely to see how people respond to this.

Johan Skuggeld
Drum Major and Snare drummer
Port Orchard Police Pipe Band

[Rick James]

Can't make it to the seminar, but if you DO produce a video tape, let us know and we'll buy a copy.

Thanks,

[Kevin M. MacHeffner Conquest]

Johan,

There are still copies of "By The Center" available, which is an instructional video for D/Ms. You can find it on the Atlanta Pipe Band's web site: http://www.atlantapipeband.com under Merchandise. Jim Thompson did a great job putting this video together.

Chuck,

I'm all for a west coast D/M seminar! Please let me know what I could do to assist.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Rick James]

Originally posted by Kevin MacHeffner:
There are still copies of "By The Center" available, which is an instructional video for D/Ms. You can find it on the Atlanta Pipe Band's web site: http://www.atlantapipeband.com under Merchandise. Jim Thompson did a great job putting this video together.--->with an able assist from Kevin!

We have the video, good material in there... I highly recommend it... but it still can't beat a live instructor.

[Johan M. Skuggeld]

Originally posted by Kevin MacHeffner:

There are still copies of "By The Center" available, which is an instructional video for D/Ms. You can find it on the Atlanta Pipe Band's web site: http://www.atlantapipeband.com under Merchandise. Jim Thompson did a great job putting this video together.Thank you very much Kevin, I will write to Jim instantly to get a copy of this video. I appreciate your help! :thumb:

/Johan Skuggeld
Drum Major / Side drummer
Port Orchard Police Pipe Band (http://www.poppb.org)

[kg]

Johan!!!

He's being bloody modest again!!!

You want someone who knows of what he speaks?
You want someone who knows how to do British Army drill (for competitions in the UK)?
You want someone reliable?
You want someone smart?

Okay, I'll admit he's not the TALLEST DM, but all the aforegoing are true enough.

Get Kevin MacHeffner up there - you'll get value for money.

...........and no, I'm not on commission either!! :blush: ) but I'll do anything for Mountian Dew!!! heh!

[Sandpiper1]

If you are looking for someone to run a DM seminar, contact Larry Fullerton in Toronto. He judges the DM contests in southern Ontario and is extremely well qualified to run a seminar.

His email address is fullertonl@sympatico.ca.

Good luck.

[Johan M. Skuggeld]

Kevin,
I've been trying to get in touch with Jim Thompson, Atlanta Pipeband to inquire about the DM video you talked about, but I can't seem to get through to him - as I am not revieving any answers. It made me excited to know there is an actuall DM video out there, and I really would like to get my mits on that one! Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Johan Skuggeld
Drum Major in Port Orchard Police Pipe Band (http://www.poppb.com)

[Drume]

Not to put down guys like Norm or other people from back east, The one thing i like about an instructor is the up to date flourishs thats what the Comps are all about in Scotland is the Show Drill, Dress, and Deportment are minor compared to the show they put on. Try to get someone who knows timing for Flourishs or even someone Young give someone a good chance to get out and show us how to look good march good and do some pretty good mace stuff.