談過 DCI (或說 drum corps) 在活動過程中對「精神」的重視與強調
已屆三月份下旬的這個時候，各隊照慣例應該加速加溫
準備面對四月份開始更重要、更密集的 camps
但 camp 不單純是「受訓」，還有一層意義是「驗收」！
由於前期通常一個月一次，頂多兩次集訓
(每次通常週五晚進駐場地開始練習，練到週日中午)
所以(練習上)屬於「自己」的時間遠多過「團」
其中我們還要了解到團練的時間切割有：練行進基本、音樂基本、曲子分組(旗隊學動作)、合奏、練隊形.....等
那麼究竟每位團員敢依賴每次的 camp 時「再想、再複習、再準備」的「膽量」有多少？！
美國地大，從大老遠開車、坐車、坐飛機來團練的一定很多
一趟成本高、舟車勞頓、每月一次的 camp，想必事前應該是更加努力準備才對
況且正式決定編制前，還有其他虎視眈眈想爭取位置的夥伴在旁邊
誰都不想成為那個被告訴「請再試試參加我們明年度表演吧！」的人......
但只有這麼消極的原因嗎？
我想，骨子裡那種不服輸、挑戰自己，並且拱、擁護自己隊伍的「情結」更多吧！
拿外套那段太酷了！我現在也可以，但比起動輒 30、40年年資的前輩，我的還太不夠久遠了......
影片中出現過多次、講話的那位，是他們今年新聘請回籠的「藝術總監」與「經營顧問」
有仔細看的話應該不難發現年輕時他也曾是 Madison Scouts 的團員
從團員態度精神、自我要求的角度提到值得令人深思的兩個點：senses of OWNERSHIP & URGENCY
OWNERSHIP(所有權)：重視這個團的程度要如同當自己就是經營者
「
I want you to think about what it's like to take OWNERSHIP of your own drum corps. Everyone can contribute to that particular thing. This is YOUR drum corps!
And how you take ownership? You make sure that certain things are done, and every hair in this place and everything is asked upon you.
」
URGENCY(急迫感)：對於練習要積極，創造一種求進步的急迫感
「
This is a hard thing, and it's like to set in a fire onto your butt. I want you to create a sense of URGENCY of what you're doing. When you see the staff teaching you, you sense that they have a sense of urgency like pushing? That comes from us as a team! What we like to do is eventually have that urgency not comes from us(staff), but it comes from this inner fire that we've called Madison Scouts! That is important!
」
很有氣勢的一席話
不過得聽的人也擁有感性的細胞才行，一呼百諾
這活動本來就應該理性地學，感性地做
但對應不同教育風氣之下，台灣真的較少能感受到這樣的「默契」
年輕人大抵都視「精神」於無物吧
所以具「速成」與「表象」特質的活動通常都會相對熱門
只是三分鐘熱度的情形依然存在，不一定就因此降低
順道一提上述那位講說的老馬，他叫 James(Jim) Mason
各位知道他的來歷嗎？
除了是 Madison Scouts alumni 外，也是 Star of Indiana 的創團團長與總教練
更是 Mason Entertainment Group 的老闆與 CEO
也就是 Blast! 這個團體的老闆！(在去年政大旗槍社的講座中有介紹過)
難怪能以藝術總監及經營顧問的身份被聘請....同時說出很有「觀念」的講話
另外除這名大人物外，今年的教練陣容中也有幾位大咖
期待 2010 的 Madison Scouts
--------------------------------------------------------------
就在補刊 MS 的影片時
在網路上，也碰巧搜尋到了一篇「木管想轉銅管.....為了參加 drum corps」的提問
原文如下：
Trumpet - Starting Out
Expert: Gene Ramsay - 2/23/2010
Question
Hi
I'm a senior in high school and am a woodwind. I have played the clarinet for about seven years now and the flute for three. However, I am interested in auditioning for the Raider Drum and Bugle Corps next year and, naturally, this requires me to play either brass or percussion.
I have dabbled with brass in the past, but haven't ever had much luck with it. I would like to learn the mellophone for next season and spoke my band director about it. He suggested I learn trumpet first and then graduate to mellophone once I had mastered the basics on the trumpet.
So here I am with a trumpet, attempting to teach myself the instrument the same way I taught myself the flute - by getting ahold of a fingering chart and figuring out songs.
Problem is, while the flute came rather easily to me, I am having a terrible time with the trumpet range and tone. So far, upon trying to teach myself Danny Boy, I have found that I can only reach a muggy sounding middle G at best. Occasionally I can hit a middle A or C, but that requires pausing, taking a deep breath, resetting my embouchre, and blasting. And it's not pretty.
Can you suggest any exercises or techniques I can try to help me extend my range and improve my tone? I understand it's my first day on the instrument, but I would like to learn it relatively quickly so I can move onto the mellophone and actually stand a chance at Raiders. I understand this will require practice. I have the time.
Thank you very much
Nay
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
這位吹了七年豎笛、三年長笛，高三的 Nay
堅定地為了要參加明年的 Raiders 而正將想法付諸行動中，已經開始學習銅管
遇有困難，就提問求助
只是有感而發，當一個高三生正學習完全無法依舊經驗來揣摩的新樂器時
他的目標是為了實現 2011年的 drum corps 夢
那麼我好奇明年的台灣在 marching music 領域中會不會有令人振奮的事發生呢
還是依然平淡，又見老掉牙的阻力與不利因素呢
我們拭目以待！
但在此之前，就讓我們、讓樂府把握當下，努力精彩地展現今年的決心吧
