• Debut of the New Capital Brass Ensemble

• Mini-corps Film Completed

• CB! at DCI and Track events

• CB! Performs in Harrisburg Event

• BHOF Championship Results
• CB! Medal Winners
• CB! takes Five medals at Bridgeport
• Capital Brass! Wins at Brooklyn
• T.E.A.M. 2007 Competiton Review
• Capital Brass! Announces 2007 Plans
• Times Union Article - New Group Formed...
• 1st Rehearsal Scheduled Success
• Players Sought for Capital Brass!
• B-O-M! Opens Track Season
• Capital Brass! Meeting Update 7/6/06
• Capital Brass! Returns
• Friends of Ron Ghetti

Written by Tom MacDonald, Capital Brass  

Thursday, 26 July 2007

August 4th will mark the debut of the new Capital Brass Ensemble. The performance will be the first of a set of weekly appearances at the famous Saratoga Race Track.

The track gig is a great get for the young group; procured largely on the reputation of the organizations signature music group: Brass-O-Mania!,which kicked off the season on Opening Day (7/25) for their14th SEASON AT THE TRACK.

The venue is up-close and intimate in the very crowded "paddock " area, where the public sets up picnic areas before the races begin. CBE will be on a bill that includes some of the best and longest running professional acts in the region.

Most of the CB! Mini-corps members will participate in at least some of the track gigs, and they will be joined by several Brass-O-Mania! players to make up the new Capital Brass Ensemble.

This debut marks a HUGE step toward integrating a corps-style ensemble into the mainstream music scene. This dream is about to become a reality - just 1 week from now!

Going forward:

In the Fall, the 2 groups will begin to rehearse separately, with a fair amount of cross-over (both material and personnel) expected:

Capital Brass! will continue to be developed as a drum corps project; mostly performing in area parades and other events; and possibly traveling to MCA and I&E events to compete as a mini-corps and/or breaking into smaller entries.

Some plans for the mini-corps include the development of a Percussion Ensemble; continuation of Alumni performance projects; development of a battery for marching parades with the minicorps and/or the continuation of the Mardi-Gras Ensemble (a strolling, New Orleans-style parade unit).

In addition to the mini-corps, the creation of a separate Capital Brass Ensemble for `08 brings CB! a number of advantages:

The new group will utilize the many very experienced players picked up this summer, who are not able to travel , but have a huge amount of experience and talent that could be funneled into a local-only concert group. The smaller, more experienced group will be better able to meet the higher demand (in terms of volume and material) expected from the `08 book.

CBE will also be an excellent place for dedicated members from Capital Brass! to aspire to: a chance to perform with a high octane group, with a large music book; allowing the organization to grow players from within.

The group is also a natural for sharing brass players and drummers with B-O-M; and functioning as a smaller all-brass version of the large jazz ensemble; and fitting PERFECTLY into the original plan to develop a drum-corps style ensemble which could compete for jobs with other "legit" acts.

And, with the personnel ALREADY ON BOARD, this group will be able to handle a wide variety of material; and will be the standard-bearer for the Capital Brass! brand.

BOTH groups will continue to use corps-style instrumentation; and to push the envelope in terms of corps ensembles in the Albany area..

The 2 corps-style groups now take a legitimate place in the B-O-M family of music ensembles:

Capital Brass!
Capital Brass Ensemble
Brass-O-Mania!
The B-O-M Big Band
and to debut in `08: our all-union Big Band

Players in the Albany area, who want to be part of a PROFESSIONAL, DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION, that is NOT STOPPING HERE, should contact:

Tom MacDonald

tommacd@nycap.rr.com

Capital Brass! Documentary Film Completed

Written by Tom MacDonald, Capital Brass

Wednesday, 04 July 2007

 

A condensed, preview copy of the CB! Mini-corps documentary, "Gonna Happen", is now available thru the CB! website.

The soundtrack for the film is concert audio from all three Spring events: Quest TEAM, BHOF Championships and MCA Invitational, including:

Concierto De Aranjuez
Sway
Memories of You

Everyday, I Have the Blues

And, the piece dubbed into the "retro" scene (with old CBE photos) is the gold-medal winning quintet, at BHOF, playing "A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square".

There is some nice audio which didn't make the film, and those complete audio clips will soon be up up on the CB! site.

The preview film is full-length, but has a reduced size and audio/video quality for web viewing.

A high quality version will be available on DVD this Fall, and it will include:

* the full 20 minute film in High Resolution

* out-takes and member commentary

* un-edited concert footage

* follow-up coverage from our upcoming trip to DCA Rochester.

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to: Film-maker Aaron McGrath; the crew from the RIT Film and Animation School; and "Sometimes I Make Films" Productions!

To link to the preview film, go to the Capital Brass! website, www.capitalbrass.org ,and select "CB Media". Then, follow the links to CB! Video and Gonna Happen.

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Capital Brass! Makes DCI And Track Appearances

Sunday, 17 June 2007  link to DCP story: CB! at DCI and Track events

 

Capital Brass! Mini-corps will perform to open up the Adirondack Drums DCI contest, in Glens Falls, on Monday, 7/2.

Performing in the concession area for an intimate setting - appropriate for an up-close, in-your-face mini-corps performance - CB! will debut their newly updated mini-corps show.

The performance begins at 6:30 sharp, and will feature a NEW, surprise closer!

Don't miss a minute of this unique, Big Band - style show which will showcase the versatility of the young group; including exciting improv solo work, covering ALL of the voices, by Kevin Hendrick, Paul MacDonald , John Blood and Dave Sokol; additional solos by screamer Scott Thompson, Dan Hines and Tom MacDonald and a drum feature with Rob Cenci on set - along with some sweet ensemble work by the entire corps.

Then, the corps moves to the stadium for a 7:00 performance of the National Anthem, which will open this great TEN CORPS DCI show.

This is THE big drum corps event for our area, and CB! is very proud to be a part of it.

http://www.adirondackdrums.com/

A week before the mini-corps appears in Glen Falls, The Capital Brass Ensemble will show it's versatility on Tuesday 6/26 (7-8pm), with a concert performance at the Poestenkill Historical Society.

The brass ensemble will perform tunes from our mini-corps show, PLUS a preview of the material we'll be using at the Saratoga Race Track this summer.

This gig was booked as a warm-up for the summer brass ensemble gigs. The race track series is a very prestigious event for the brand new group to be included in. The event has live music every day of the season, including some of the top jazz, bluegrass, blues and dixieland acts in the region.

Capital Brass Ensemble and Brass-O-Mania! will play SIX of the best weekend dates: including Opening Day (7/25) and the premier date of the Summer Meet; Travers Day (8/25).

Quest TEAM and BHOF Championships

MCA Invitational

DCI Glens Falls
Saratoga Race Track series
Mardi Gras and Percussion Ensemble debuts, in local parades
DCA I&E

What a season for the brand new Capital Brass!

More info at: www.capitalbrass.org

4/16/07

Capital Brass! appears in exhibition at Harrisburg Mini-corps Event

3 months of work and a long trip to Pennsylvania culminated Saturday with a very satisfying performance in this historic event.  Although some technical conflicts kept the corps from official competition, the mini-corps WAS judged and received some great positive feedback from a judging panel that was obviously very surprised at the level of musicianship evidenced in the performance.

Although not given an official score, judges on the panel indicated that CB! would have placed within the very tightly-scored group that took 2nd thru 4th: a very satisfying achievement for a brand new program, with a new book ALL learned in the last few months.

A number of CB! members (including half of the mid-range section) could not make the trip, but they were still able to put one of the larger groups on stage, with 18 brass (7/3/6/2) and 1 percussionist.

Having just learned a new John Arietano number, "Memories of You" in the last few weeks, the corps performed their entire mini-corps show for the first time, and all were pleased at how strong this new selection was.  The program also included: "Concierto De Aranjeuz", "Sway" and "Everyday I Have the Blues",

The corps was well received by the audience, who seemed to just LOVE the show, giving the corps standing-O's both DURING the performance and afterward! 

Winners were the Golden Eagles. Mass Brass (who finished just one point ahead of CB! in Bridgeport) placed second

Final Results:

1 - 86.25 - West Sayville Golden Eagles
2 - 82.75 - Mass Brass (1 point penalty)
3 - 81.25 - Ghost Riders
4 - 79.75 - Amoskeag Sound
5 - 76.50 - Crossmen Xtreme
6 - 74.50 - Lambertville Volunteers

In Exhibition:

Steel City Ambassadors

Capital Brass!

Link to original story: Drum Corps Planet - Bugler's Hall of Fame Championship Results

Written by Buglers Hall of Fame Release

Monday, 19 March 2007

The inaugural North American Championship, sponsored by the Bugler's Hall of Fame was a great success - with constant accolades by the participants and audience on the professionalism of the production of the show and all of the performances. Held at the John J. Cox Student Center at the University of Bridgeport (CT) on Saturday evening, the event made for a most enjoyable evening and made its statement as an Individual show not to be missed in the future. Plans are already being made for the 2008 show.

The final results are as-follows:
 

CB! Medal Winners - 3/17/07 -North American Championships

(see event coverage below)

Gold Medal - Mid-range: Paul MacDonald

Gold Medal - Tuba/Contra: Dave Sokol

Gold Medal - Brass Ensemble:

CB! Quintet

- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet

- Tom MacDonald - trumpet

- Paul MacDonald - mellophone

- Holly Marino - mellophone

- Dave Sokol - tuba

Silver Medal - Brass Ensemble

CB! Ten-tet

- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet

- Dan Hines - trumpet

- Tom MacDonald - trumpet

- Jeff Young - trumpet

- Paul MacDonald - mellophone/trumpet

- Holly Marino - mellophone

- Arron Koffman - baritone

- Ralph Marino - baritone

- Russ Kagan - baritone

- Dave Sokol - tuba

Silver Medal - Mini-corps

- Kevin Hendrick - trumpet

- Dan Hines - trumpet

- Tom MacDonald - trumpet/flugelhorn

- Jeff Young - trumpet

- Terry Stoliker - trumpet

- Al Richards - trumpet

- Paul MacDonald - mellophone/trumpet

- Holly Marino - mellophone

- Jacqui Seaborg - mellophone

- Holly Grosheck - mellophone

- Arron Koffman - baritone

- Ralph Marino - baritone

- Russ Kagan - baritone

- Eldon Trego - baritone

- Mike Gottier - baritone

- Dave Sokol - tuba

- Joe Chizek - tuba

- Frank DelRay - percussion

CB! takes FIVE medals at Bridgeport Championships

3/18/07

The new Capital Brass! returned today from The North American Brass & Percussion Championships with 3 Gold medals and 2 Silver!

Although challenged by a freak weather system that caused some members to cancel the trip, most of the group, coming in from PA, MA, and Upstate NY, managed to make it to Bridgeport -  in order to compete in the inaugural event, sponsored by the Bugler's Hall of Fame.

Competitors from all over the Northeast - New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania converg

ed on the event -  including entries from: Manchester Muchachos, Park City Pride, Sunrisers, Hurricanes, St. Rita's Brassmen, Mass Brass, Selden Cadets, Ct Alumni, Fusion Core, St. Kevin's and the Skyliners.

Gold Medal for Trumpet/Soprano went to Willy Carmona - Fusion Core

Gold for Baritone: Ruben Ariola - St. Rita's Brassmen

Best in Show: Richie Price - for a wonderful exhibition on trumpet

Capital Brass! Wins Brass Ensemble Title at Brooklyn Event!

2/25/07

The first leg of the CB! 2007 journey was completed last night with a win in the Brass Ensemble category at the Quest T.E.A.M. event in Brooklyn!

With a 14-pc brass ensemble (4/4/5/1), and a program which included "Concierto De Aranjuez" and "Sway" , CB! scored a very respectable 88.0, for first place. Brooklyn United took second place, with a score of 72.0.

3 CB! soloists; Dave Sokol, Paul MacDonald and Dan Hines; also did very well in the event , finishing in 3rd, 4th and 5th place; with Dave Sokol (tuba) only 1 point out of second place. The top 2 spots were taken by long-time DCA soloists Ruben Ariola and Kenton Clarke.

Unfortunately, the CB! Brass Quartet was cut from the program, due to time constraints.

Our mid and low brass especially shined last night; with an almost flawless performance.  Some great positive feedback was received from the audience,  and the adjudicators.  And we were all very happy to get off to such a good start after beginning preparations for the event just last month.

Work will begin on Wednesday, with our full mini-corps, to prepare for our participation in the Bridgeport I&E event on March 17th. Only 3 rehearsals to go, so we've got our work cut out for us.  We can still use a couple of players for Bridgeport and Harrisburg, and a couple of more who are interested in doing local gigs.

Come by the Verdoy Fire Dept on Wednesday (6:30-8:30) to check it out!

info at: www.brassomaina.com

On Saturday, February 24, 2007, Quest Jr. Drum & Bugle Corps held its Fourth Annual T.E.A.M Competition at Benjamin Banneker PS 256. What a great night. From Long Island’s “Blue Jays Drum & Bugle Corps”, to Connecticut’s “High Steppers Drill Team/Drum Corps” and Albany’s “Capital Brass”, competitors representing an array of locations were all brought together to display their talents in various performing arts. This years T.E.A.M. Competition went to new heights.  The afternoon was filled with both exciting competition and performances.  It started with eight competitors in the Individual Junior Percussion category. Asani Manning, an alumni of the Quest program, took first place fy scoring 85.5.  He has been the reigning champion of this junior division since the T.E.A.M. competitions began in 2003. Next was the Individual Junior Brass category also consisting of eight competitors. Rashad Tillman; an active Quest participant took first place with a solid score of 55. His tone and intonation proved to be quite pleasing to the ear.
The sole electronic keyboard competitor, Kim John Miller, scored a 65.50 and moved the audience with a classical piece “Ode to Joy” from the Ninth Symphony. This demonstrates the versatility of musical genres being advocated by Quest. The “Sophisticated High Steppers Drill Team and Drum Corps” then added another dimension to the program. this up and coming group, out of Waterbury, CT, with its step and drill moves. The group performed well with coordinating moves while incorporating dynamic percussion effects. The crowd was visibly entertained.
“Kids In Praise” out of Brooklyn, NY, performed a praise dance to contemporary gospel music. It was a spiritually uplifting performance and demonstrated the young ladies commitment to dance.  With a score of 85.5, this fantastic group took first place in the Ensemble category. The young ladies from the Quest Color Guard then performed.  They are also saxophone players in the Quest R&B band.  Their efforts came shining through with a routine they helped coordinate. Their score of 72.5 gave this much deserving group second place but they got an A+ for effort and commitment. All the way from Philadelphia, PA the “Foot Stompers Drill Team & Drum line” came ready to ignite the crowd. They won the category of Drill team/Drum line with a score of 72.  Next, the “Sky Liners Alumni Percussion Duet”, a senior duet who tour all over the country with their awesome routine, hit the stage. The audience was taken on a historical adventure as a result of this duo using a variety of percussion instruments to tell the story. They were wonderful.  In the Senior Individual Percussion Category, Jack Murray took first place in the on snare with a score of 94.00. Ruben Ariola, took first place with a score of 94.50 in the much anticipated Senior Individual Brass Category.  This Trumpet player astounded the crowd with his far reaching range. For their first time together, “Brooklyn United Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps” performed with the “Wynn Center Toppers Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps”.  The merger of these two groups is to preserve the history of Brooklyn’s past Drum & Bugle Corps.  The next performance was “Capital Brass” all the way from Albany, NY. This impacting brass ensemble gave our kids something to aspire to. The selections of  “Concierto De Aranjuez” & “Sway “ brought a sweet taste of variety to the show.
The final performance was given by the Quest R & B Band. This was the debut performance of the young musicians. Quest is using the R&B music to cater to the interest of  kids and provide a one stop shopping center for the Free Music Program.
This years T.E.A.M. competition line up was the most exciting ever. We have designed this event to bring generations together in a competitive and learning environment. The kids witnessed adult groups and individuals perform with great enthusiasm and precision. Look forward to seeing you next year.

Tom MacDonald
tommacd@nycap.rr.com