Photo of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps by Ken Martinson/Marching.com
Recently I took my daughter and son for a “Day Out With Thomas.” To nearly every toddler, Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are household names. With wooden and electric train toys, temporary tattoos, balloons, a jumpy house, photo opportunities and a 20-minute train ride with a life-size Thomas engine, the event was a momentous occasion, especially for my 2-year-old.
She was full of energy, extremely happy, sad to leave—and then exhausted during the drive home. That’s the way that we all probably feel after a big event.
For the 5th year in a row, Halftime Magazine showcases the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championships— perhaps one of the biggest events in the marching arts (page 20). Over three days, 36,617 audience members filled Lucas Oil Stadium. Despite the shaky economy, finals-night attendance grew 9.2% compared to last year.
But high school and college bands don’t need to be content with simply participating in or attending events; they can be involved as hosts. “Be Our Guest,” page 29, shares the tips and experiences of three different bands and the many events they have provided for their marching communities.
And Halftime Magazine is excited to announce our own event—Band Camp for Adults—in partnership with Marching Roundtable, an online resource for band directors, instructors, other marching professionals and parents. The event is scheduled for the spring of 2012.
With leading clinicians and keynote speakers, Band Camp for Adults will offer a wealth of information on leadership development, technical instruction, show design, marketing and fundraising/ budgeting. For band directors, caption instructors and band boosters, the experience gained from our camp will help ensure that your band remains on top— both on and off the field.
Check the Halftime Magazine Events Page and www.marchingroundtable.com for more information.
As we’ve all come to experience, events are a great learning experience. Events can invigorate us. And events can create or renew lifelong friendships. We hope you join us for our inaugural event and that the events you attend or host this fall season are huge successes.
Musically Yours,
Christine Ngeo Katzman
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
